Battered Le Bleus build up for next game
(02-26 20:30)
France coach Philippe Saint-Andre called up second row forward Sebastien Vahaamahina and fullback-cum-winger Maxime Medard into his 23-man squad for their March 9 Six Nations tussle with Ireland.
Saint-Andre has to conjure a recovery by the French, whose loss to England last week left Les Bleus rooted to the foot of the table after a third straight defeat –
something they had not suffered from the outset since 1982 in the old Five Nations, AFP reports.
Perpignan's Vahaamahina, 21, has just one cap to date – earned from the bench in November's Test win over Australia – while Toulouse star Medard, 26, can call on the experience of 31 appearances. The pair replace Jocelino Suta and Benjamin Fall for the meeting at Stade de France.
Medard, who suffered knee trouble last year to hamper his recent progress, was a late call-up to the squad just ahead of the tournament after Castre's Brice Dulin dropped out through injury but was not retained.
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