Team News: France name teenage sensation in XV to face Ireland

New France coach Jacques Brunel named teenager Matthieu Jalibert at flyhalf for his team’s Six Nations opening game against Ireland on Saturday.

The 19-year-old Jalibert, who will make his international debut at the Stade de France three months after starting his first Top 14 match with Bordeaux-Begles, has been paired with the in-form Maxime Machenaud after Morgan Parra was ruled out injured.

“This year is going really fast, everything is happening to me at lightning speed,” said Jalibert.

Another uncapped player, fullback Geoffrey Palis, will also start as Brunel will be looking to restore France’s confidence for his first game in charge.

Brunel took over from Guy Noves after a dismal series of international tests last November.

France last won the Six Nations in 2010.

France: 15-Geoffrey Palis, 14-Teddy Thomas, 13-Remi Lamerat, 12-Henry Chavancy, 11-Virimi Vakatawa, 10-Matthieu Jalibert, 9-Maxime Machenaud, 8-Kevin Gourdon, 7-Yacouba Camara, 6-Wenceslas Lauret, 5-Sebastien Vahaamahina, 4-Arthur Iturria, 3-Rabah Slimani, 2-Guilhem Guirado (cap), 1-Jefferson Poirot

Replacements: 16-Adrien Pelissie, 17-Dany Priso, 18-Cedate Gomes Sa, 19-Paul Gabrillagues, 20-Marco Tauleigne, 21-Antoine Dupont, 22-Anthony Belleau, 23-Benjamin Fall