Andy Farrell springs a few surprises as he names Ireland 23 for France game

It's finally here!

Andy Farrell has named his match-day 23, and even accounting for injury crises at both loosehead and fullback, the head coach has sprung a few surprises.

As usual, the out-half debate has been prominent in the build-up, and as expected, it is Sam Prendergast who get the nod to start, while Jack Crowley will wear the 23 jersey in a 6/2 bench split.

Unfortunately, Tadhg Furlong has not been deemed fit enough to play, with his clubmate Tom Clarkson starting and Finlay Bealham making the bench.

In terms of surprises, Sam's brother Cian starts at blindside flanker after impressing the coaching staff over the last couple of weeks.

It is a positive sign from the usually conservative Farrell, but it does mean that there is no place in the 23 for the uncapped and in-form Edwin Edogbo, with James Ryan, Jack Conan and Nick Timoney named among the replacements.

Jacob Stockdale also starts on the left wing over James Lowe, in another positive form over reputation call.

Ireland 23 to face France:

15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(10)
14. Tommy O’Brien (Blackrock College/Leinster)(6)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(69)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(23)
11. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster)(40)
10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(13)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(46)

1. Jeremy Loughman (Garryowen/Munster)(5)
2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(35)
3. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Leinster)(10)
4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(19)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(65)
6. Cian Prendergast (UCD/Connacht)(8)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(75)
8. Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)(55)(captain)

Replacements:

16. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(43)
17. Michael Milne (UCD/Munster)(2)
18. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)(54)
19. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(76)
20. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(55)
21. Nick Timoney (Queen’s University/Ulster)(6)
22. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(24)
23. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(30).