Vahaamahina and Toulouse’s Maxime Medard have both been recalled for Saint-Andre’s 23-man squad to take on Ireland, Jocelino Suta and Benjamin Fall making way.

And the 21-year-old former Brive forward’s eye-catching displays in the Top 14 have made Saint-Andre sit up and take note.

"We watched all the (French) Championship fixtures from this weekend and reviewed our match,” he said.

“Sébastien [Vahaamahina] participated in the November Tests with the French national side.

“At the moment he is performing very well with his club. He has a lot of room for progress which good for the French team.

“Maxime [Médard] has shown that he is back to his best level after his injury and will bring us his skills and experience.

“They are players that we've been following for a long time in view of the 2015 World Cup and it's good that they reintegrate into the group so they can work with the squad and get game time.”