France number eight Elvis Vermeulen has been ruled out of Saturday's Six Nations championship clash with Ireland because of a rib injury.

"Elvis was injured during the game against Scotland. X-rays revealed a broken rib. He will be sidelined for four to six weeks," said team spokesman Lionel Rossigneux.
   
Vermeulen will be replaced for the Stade de France encounter by uncapped Louis Picamoles, who received the call from the selectors while celebrating his 21st birthday.
   
Picamoles plays club rugby with Montpellier. He will rejoin France's training base where team mates Francois Trinh-Duc and Fulgence Ouedraogo, who are also 21 and won their first and second  caps respectively at Murrayfield.
   
France, who were fielding four newcomers, won the game 27-6.
   
Coach Marc Lievremont is due to announce his starting lineup tomorrow morning.