SPORT: IRELAND TEAM TO PLAY FRANCE IN THE SIX NATIONS NAMED
Rob Kearney replaces Simon Zebo in the Irish team to take on France in Paris this Saturday in the Six Nations.
Dave Kearney takes over from Keith Earls on the wing while Sean O’Brien replaces Tommy O’Donnell in the back row.
Coach Joe Schmidt has confirmed that both Zebo and Earls have not recovered fully from the injuries they picked up in last week’s draw with Wales.
Wexford’s Tadhg Furlong is aiming to win just his fifth cap this weekend – he’s named on the bench.
The team in full is Rob Kearney at full back with Trimble and Dave Kearney on the wings.
Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw stay in the centre while Jonathan Sexton is fit and starts at out half with Connor Murray at scrum half.
McGrath, Best and White are the front row once again while Mike McCarthy and Devin Toner are an unchanged second row partnership.
In the back row it’s Stander, O’Brien and Heaslip.
On the bench it’s Richardt Strauss, James Cronin, Furlong, Donnacha Ryan, Tommy O’Donell, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan and Fergus McFadden.
Injury returnee’s Mike Ross and Cian Healy won’t be part of the plans as they’ve both been named in the Leinster team for tomorrows Pro12 meeting with Zebre at the RDS.
Despite a good performance off the bench against Wales last week Sean Cronin is excluded from the Irish squad and is on the bench for Leinster.