French hopes of winning their first Five/Six Nations Grand Slam since 1998 by beating Ireland on Saturday received a blow today with the news that centre Tony Marsh's participation was in doubt.
The New Zealand-born naturalised Frenchman, who scored two tries in the defeat of Scotland in the last match, is suffering from a right calf injury and a decision on his playing will come either on Friday evening or Saturday morning.
Should the tough tackling Montferrand centre, who has formed an outstanding partnership with Damien Traille in the seven-match unbeaten run by the French, fail to make it then he is likely to be replaced by Toulouse star Clement Poitrenaud.
AFP