Fabien Galthie has changed four players in his starting XV to take on Italy in Rome on Sunday to the one that lost to England in round two of the Guinness Six Nations, with further changes on the bench.
France captain Gregory Alldritt has warned Ireland his side are primed to “produce a huge performance” in Friday evening’s Guinness Six Nations opener in Marseille.
All Blacks flanker Shannon Frizell is in line for his Super Rugby Pacific return this Friday after being named on the bench for the Highlanders.
That collective prominence has now been recognised on an individual basis as four Cell C Sharks players - including Eben Etzebeth - have been named on the 15-strong longlist for the 2023 European player of the year award.
Ex-England wing Denny Solomona has been named to make his Highlanders debut from the bench against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday.
For the first 15 minutes of the Highlanders’ clash with the Crusaders in Dunedin on Friday night, the home side looked on track to set a record-winning margin over their southern rivals for the second year on the trot. Then disaster struck.
Fresh from their Six Nations round one win over Italy last Sunday, France have now named their team to face Ireland in round two on Saturday.
The Highlanders will welcome back two of their All Blacks stars for their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman clash against the Western Force in Perth on Friday.
The Highlanders have promoted Japan star Kazuki Himeno to their starting side for Friday's clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch.