Teenager Matthieu Jalibert can "handle" his France debut after coach Jacques Brunel picked him on Thursday to play in Saturday's Six Nations opener against tournament favourites Ireland.
After the inexperienced 19-year-old fly-half's surprise call-up to new coach Brunel's first squad, Jalibert has been thrust straight into the lion's den at the Stade de France by his former coach at Bordeaux-Begles.
"From the moment we thought he was up to playing at this level there was no reason not to pick him," said Brunel of a player who has made just 15 senior appearances since his Bordeaux debut in September.
"We think he's able to handle this role."
And Brunel is sure that Jalibert, who says he wants to emulate England's Andy Farrell, will have no problem dealing the intensity the Irish will no doubt bring to the Stade de France cauldron.
"I think he's settled and well integrated into the group," added Brunel.
"He's got his bearings. Any nerves he might have had would have been when he was selected (for the squad two weeks ago) because that's when everyone took an interest in him.
"Now he's settled in the group and knew he was challenging for a start, or a least a place on the bench.
"So he can't be unsure of himself, I think he has the necessary maturity.
"Of course, he'll have to prepare a bit because I'm sure the Irish will have looked at the videos and asked 'who's this guy, what can he do?'"
On the other side of the fence, Young Irish lock James Ryan has been handed a vote of confidence by being selected to play France in Paris on Saturday in what will be his Six Nations debut.
The 21-year-old - who made his Test debut last summer even before he had played for the Leinster senior team - is preferred to the veteran Devin Toner and will partner Iain Henderson in the second row.
There are great expectations for Ryan, a former Ireland Under-20 captain, with murmurings that he is destined to skipper the senior side one day.
Head coach Joe Schmidt also brought back a couple of players who missed the three Test wins last November.
Keith Earls will win his 64th cap on the wing while flanker Josh van der Flier fills the considerable vacuum left by the injured British & Irish Lions star Sean O'Brien.
The side will be once again captained by the vastly-experienced hooker Rory Best who wins his 107th cap.
The world class half-back pairing of Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray, with almost 130 caps between them, have far more experience than their French counterparts, Maxime Machenaud, 31 caps, and 19-year-old Jalibert who is making his debut.
Schimdt is bidding to secure his third Six Nations crown after winning in 2014 and 2015, but the Grand Slam has eluded him so far.
The Irish will start as warm favourites to record only their third win in Paris in the last 40 years as the hosts under new coach Jacques Brunel seek to end a run of six Tests without a win.
TEAMS
France team to face Ireland
1. Jefferson Poirot
2. Guilhem Guirado (C)
3. Rabah Slimani
4. Arthur Iturria
5. Sebastien Vahaamahina
6. Wenceslas Lauret
7. Yacouba Camara
8. Kevin Gourdon
9. Maxime Machenaud
10. Matthieu Jalibert
11. Virimi Vakatawa
12. Remi Lamerat
13. Henry Chavancy
14. Teddy Thomas
15. Geoffrey Palis
Reserves
16. Adrien Pelissie
17. Dany Priso
18. Cedate Gomes Sa
19. Paul Gabrillagues
20. Marco Tauleigne
21. Antoine Dupont
22. Anthony Belleau
23. Benjamin Fall
Ireland team to face France
1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best (C)
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Iain Henderson
5. James Ryan
6. Peter O'Mahony
7. Josh van der Flier
8. CJ Stander
9. Conor Murray
10. Johnny Sexton
11. Jacob Stockdale
12. Bundee Aki
13. Robbie Henshaw
14. Keith Earls
15. Rob Kearney
Reserves
16. Sean Cronin
17. Jack McGrath
18. John Ryan
19. Devin Toner
20. Dan Leavy
21. Luke McGrath
22. Joey Carbery
23. Fergus McFadden
