France coach Bernard Laporte has opted to leave centre Yannick Jauzion on the bench for Friday's make-or-break match against Ireland at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, but captain Raphael Ibanez has been passed fit to play.

Jauzion, one of the world's best centres, has been kept out of the side by the central pairing of David Marty and Damien Traille, who both featured in the 87-10 demolition of Namibia.

"Yannick is not at his best physically and the association of Damien Traille and David Marty worked well against Namibia because Marty is a real outside centre whereas Traille and Jauzion both play inside," Laporte said today.

It is in the pack, however, that Laporte has amended his tactics, making four changes.

Hooker Ibanez has recovered from a throat injury to replace Dimitri Szarzewski and will be propped in the frontrow by the recalled Olivier Milloud and Pieter De Villiers.

Marauding flanker Sebastien Chabal has been named in the secondrow where he will be joined by lock Jerome Thion.  Former captain and lock Fabien Pelous has been ruled out of the game with a knee injury.

"We choose Chabal because of his performances not because of the marketing factor," Laporte said. "If Sebastien is at the top of the bill it's because he is performing well on the pitch, because of his speed, his spring and his fiery power and because he brings enthusiasm, dynamism and confidence to the team."

In the backrow, Chabal's usual haunt, Thierry Dusautoir and Julien Bonnaire did enough against the Africans to keep their places while there is a recall for Serge Betsen, who comes in for Yannick Nyanga.

"Thierry knocked at the door of the first team. It proves he did a good job in his preparation. We have to take our hat off to him," said team manager Jo Maso.

Number eight Imanol Harinordoquy has recovered from a thumb injury but does not figure in the 22, nor does veteran winger Christophe Dominici.

Outhalf David Skrela (Achilles) is still out injured, so Frederic Michalak continues at number 10.

Croke Park villain Vincent Clerc, scorer of three of France's 13 tries against Namibia, and Cedric Heymans, who got the first try in that match, remain on the wings with Clement Poitrenaud at fullback.

The trio play together for Toulouse and Maso feels it will be an important factor on the counter-attack.

"With Clement Poitrenaud at fullback, it will be interesting to field a back three made of players coming from the same Toulouse club," Maso said. "They are used to playing together and it's important, particularly to counter a strong Irish backline."

France desperately need to avoid defeat on Friday to avoid elimination from the tournament after their opening day loss to Argentina. Ireland, too, are under pressure having performed miserably against Pool minnows Namibia and Georgia.

Defeat would not necessarily end Eddie O'Sullivan's campaign but would leave them needing a big result against Los Pumas on September 30th.

FRANCE XV (v Ireland): C Poitrenaud; V Clerc, D Marty, D Traille, C Heymans; F Michalak, J-B Elissalde; O Milloud, R Ibanez, P De Villiers; S Chabal, J Thion; S Betsen, T Dusautoir, J Bonnaire.

Replacements: D Szarzewski, J-B Poux, L Nallet, Y Nyanga, L Beauxis, Y Jauzion, A Rougerie.