First day of the camp for France, and the first headaches. La Rochelle tighthead prop Uini Atonio and his back-row team-mate Paul Boudehent are out of the match against Ireland. The former complained of sternum pain in the middle of the warm-up, before the match against Clermont on Sunday night. The powerful flanker, meanwhile, had to give up his place at half-time because of a painful neck. Two withdrawals that deprive Fabien Galthié of two substantial figures, who have become indispensable in recent seasons.

To make up for those absences, the head coach has called on two Stade Toulousain players (14 in total): Georges-Henri Colombe and Alexandre Roumat duly joined the national training centre at Marcoussis during the day. Colombe, who has been rediscovering his form in recent weeks, and Roumat, who covers the number 8 role as well as flanker, are France regulars in a squad already without two other Toulouse men. Namely Thibaud Flament, ultimately injured after having withdrawn for personal reasons, and Romain Ntamack, with a back injury.