The Sale player is just the type of rugged ball carrier that his pack seemed to miss during their anaemic November performances. He simply oozes energy and the effect on those around him always seems to be positive, as last weekend's victory over Italy clearly proved.

Leamy, meanwhile, has made a name for himself on the international scene while Chabal has been outcast.

The Cashel man is certainly no less physical in his manner than the Frenchman but he does possess a sharper footballing brain, a trait which invariably allows him not just to carry ball, but to carry it into the right areas. This afternoon, Leamy may have a difficult job sweeping up at the base of the Irish scrum, something you don't see Chabal having to do all that often. Thus the Frenchman's efforts this afternoon may be more visible, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be getting through more work than the Munster number eight.

Advantage None 9Isaac Boss (age 26, caps 5) v Pierre Mignoni (age 29, caps 20) Mignoni isn't the most talented French scrum-half out there - Dimitri Yachvili and Jean Baptiste Ellisalde vie for that honour - but he is the most straight-forward of the trio and for that reason he's selected today. Much like Peter Stringer, he gets the ball from ruck to outhalf as quickly as possible, although unlike the injured Irish scrum-half, he did show a willingness to probe the blindside against Italy last weekend.

His direct opponent today, Isaac Boss, is an international novice and his talents are still completely unproven. He's certainly capable of providing a running threat around the fringes but in terms of decision making and passing, he's streets behind Stringer. You can't help but feel that Eoin Reddan, the Wasps number nine, would be a better choice today but he starts on the bench.

Advantage None 10 Ronan O'Gara (age 29, caps 67) v David Skrela (age 27, caps 2) Stade Francais's David Skrela wasn't even included in the Six Nations media guide before the start of the tournament but he fully justified his surprise selection with an assured performance against Italy in Rome. Skrela's understated, simple way of playing the game is exactly what France need in a position where they've always plumped for the enigmatic.

While the out-half can run, kick and pass at a decent level, he excels in nothing, unlike Ronan O'Gara. The Irish out-half, who now has a spooky 666 international points to his name, is the best punting number 10 in world rugby and his running and passing games are a notch above Skrela's. O'Gara will have more influence today but Skrela should be a safe guiding hand.

Advantage Ireland