Ireland’s strongest match day squad since Joe Schmidt took the reins in 2013? Certainly the fittest. Cian Healy returns to the bench while Johnny Sexton at outhalf, Jamie Heaslip at number eight and Sean O’Brien at openside flanker have all brought a power surge to training in Carton House this week.
Healy underwent hamstring surgery last September so his season effectively begins with an impact role against France on Saturday evening. Sexton also returns following a 12-week lay-off due to concussion.
O’Brien’s hamstring strain, sustained in the warm-up before the win in Italy last weekend, has cleared up so Tommy O’Donnell drops out of the matchday squad with Jordi Murphy covering the backrow.
With Heaslip’s shoulder problem no longer a concern, the Leinster captain will win his 70th Ireland cap.
Rory Best, having passed the concussion protocols, continues at hooker.
Ian Madigan is retained on the bench, his versatility meaning Ian Keatley returns to Munster along with James Cronin, presumably to play against Cardiff in Cork on Saturday at 7.35pm.
Luke Fitzgerald and O’Donnell will remain in the Ireland camp as additional cover.
France yesterday named an unchanged team barring the enforced replacement of the injured Alexandre Menini with young loosehead Eddy Ben Arous.
Head coach Philippe Saint Andre’s one change to the starting 15 comes after Menini picked up a foot injury during Saturday’s 15-8 win over Scotland. The 24- year-old Racing prop Ben Arous will step for his first international start and his third cap.
He is replaced on the bench by veteran prop Vincent Debaty who, along with secondrow Alexandre Flanquart, was called into the training squad mid-week in place of the injured Menini and Jocelino Suta.
Ireland
(v France, Saturday 5pm): R Kearney; T Bowe, J Payne, R Henshaw, S Zebo; J Sexton, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best, M Ross; D Toner, P O’Connell; P O’Mahony, S O’Brien, J Heaslip.
Replacements
: C Healy, M Moore, S Cronin, I Henderson, J Murphy, I Boss, I Madigan, F Jones.
France
: S Spedding; Y Huget, M Bastareaud, W Fofana, T Thomas; C Lopez, R Kockott; E Ben Arous, G Guirado, R Slimani; P Pape, Y Maestri; T Dusautoir, B Le Roux, D Chouly.
Replacements:
B Kayser, U Atonio, V Debaty, R Taofifenua, L Goujon, M Parra, R Tales, R Lamerat.
