France have confirmed their wider 42-man training squad for their crucial Six Nations clash with Ireland, with Emmanuel Meafou the headline returnee.

The behemoth Toulouse lock missed their previous Test against Italy, which Les Bleus won 73-24, but is now back in contention to feature in what is seen as the Six Nations title decider.

Emmanuel Meafou returns to French squad for Ireland clash

Meafou is one of four changes to the wider France squad for their upcoming visit to the Aviva, with Pierre Bourgarit, Maxime Lamothie, Tevita Tatafu and Romain Buros coming into the mix.

Elsewhere, it has been reported that game-breaking winger Damian Penaud is in line for a recall to the starting XV, after being dropped for their thrashing of Italy last weekend.

Penaud and Bordeaux teammate Matthieu Jalibert were both brutally axed by head coach Fabien Galthie following their surprise 26-25 defeat to England at Twickenham, with Theo Attissogbe and Thomas Ramos later taking starring roles in the Italian demolition job.

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With Penaud looking likely to slot into the starting team once again, Leo Barre could be the one to miss out with Louis Bielle-Biarrey potentially moving to full-back, or youngster Attissogbe could once again be a straight swap for the Bordeaux man.

Ireland also come into the game in high spirits, following three consecutive wins this Championship – making them the only side left in the Championship able to win a Grand Slam – and are on course to claim their third-successive Six Nations title too.

But, a win for Les Bleus would not only derail Ireland’s title hopes but also give their own a massive boost. A win of any sort would see them move one point behind Simon Easterby’s side in the table, and a bonus-point victory could even see them leapfrog them into top spot on points difference.

France 42-man squad for Ireland Test in full

Forwards: Esteban Abadie, Dorian Aldegheri, Gregory Alldritt, Uini Atonio, Hugo Auradou, Cyrill Baille, Paul Boudehent, Pierre Bourgarit, Joshua Brennan, Francois Cros, Sipli Falatea, Thibaud Flament, Marko Gazzotti, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Mickael Guillard, Oscar Jegou, Anthony Jelonch, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka, Emmanuel Meafou, Lenni Nouchi, Alexandre Roumat, Romain Taofifenua, Tevita Tatafu, Reda Wardi

Backs: Theo Attissogbe, Piere-Louis Barassi, Leo Barre, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Romain Buros, Nicolas Depoortere, Gael Drenan, Antoine Dupont, Gael Fickou, Emilien Gailleton, Matthieu Jalibert, Nolann le Garrec, Maxime Lucu, Yoram Moefana, Romain Ntamack, Damian Penaud, Thomas Ramos

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Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/france-boosted-as-behemoth-returns-while-damian-penaud-set-for-recall-after-brutal-axing