Ireland-France: the list of 19 players of the French XV protected by Fabien Galthié

Fly-half Romain Ntamack and winger Damian Penaud are among 19 protected players who will not play in the Top 14 this weekend, in preparation for the Six Nations match against Ireland on March 8, the French Rugby Federation announced on Monday.

Ntamack missed the French XV's matches against England (26-25 defeat) and Italy (73-24 victory), after being suspended for a dangerous tackle against Wales in the opening match of the Tournament.

In his absence, Bordeaux-Béglais fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, who is not among the 19 protected players, then his Toulouse teammate Thomas Ramos, the usual full-back, took their place at fly-half. UBB winger Damian Penaud, the top scorer in the active French XV, one try short of Serge Blanco's record (38 tries), was left out against Italy, replaced by Pau's Théo Attissogbe. A starter in the Top 14 against Clermont, he scored a try on Sunday during UBB's narrow victory (22-18).

Penaud's presence in the 19 opens the door to a return against Ireland on March 8, for a crucial match for victory in the Tournament.

Center Gaël Fickou, who returned to the field this weekend with Racing 92 and is lacking playing time after a broken thumb, is not in the 19, nor is full-back Léo Barré, who shone in Rome, and who will be able to play on Saturday against La Rochelle with Stade Français, last in the Top 14.

The 19 protected players will join Marcoussis on Friday evening. The list of 42 players to prepare for the match in Dublin will be announced on Saturday morning, with the rest of the group joining the National Rugby Centre on Monday.