We have made a big change in our Ireland team to face France

The Six Nations clash with France in Dublin is a big one

Ireland face France on Saturday week (March 8) at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off, 2.15 pm).

With Ireland failing to get the bonus point against Wales and France thrashing Italy 73-24, the game is effectively a showdown for the Six Nations title.

For the 23 we would like to see against Les Bleus, we have made five changes to the starting XV from the Wales win and one massive tactical change on the bench.

Front row

It was a tough outing at scrum time for Andrew Porter and Tom Clarkson against the Welsh.

Finlay Bealham and Rónan Kelleher – injury permitting – should help in that department, while we may finally see Tadhg Furlong in a green jersey again if he is fit.

Jack Boyle did more than enough off the bench against Wales to justify his spot on the bench.

Lock

Joe McCarthy was explosive on his return to the side on Saturday, and he could do even more damage as part of Ireland’s ‘bomb squad’ off the bench.

Back row

Captain Caelan Doris is still a doubt for the game and if he does miss the clash we would revert to a 5/3 bench split, with Jack Conan starting and Jamie Osborne on the bench.

Conan has been superb so far, both off the bench and starting, and there is a strong case to include him in the XV.

However, Peter O’Mahony will ensure the line out is still in tip-top order, and, normally, the higher the stakes, the better the Munster talisman performs.

Ryan Baird and Conan off the bench adds a huge amount of dynamism to the carry and lineout options.

Half back

Jack Crowley is unfortunate not to have been handed a start in one of Ireland’s three games and stake a claim for the No 10 jersey.

As such, Sam Prendergast makes sense from a continuity standpoint.

Centre

With Garry Ringrose likely to be suspended, the starting combo picks itself.

This also adds to the argument in favour of a 6/2 split, as Ireland will be without that impact/experience off the bench.

Back three

No change here.

Jack Crowley provides cover at 15, with Hugo Keenan able to cover wing as well.

Our match-day 23 vs France:

1. Andrew Porter
2. Rónan Kelleher
3. Finlay Bealham
4. James Ryan
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
10. Sam Prendergast
11. James Lowe
12. Bundee Aki
13. Garry Ringrose
14. Mack Hansen
15. Hugo Keenan

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Jack Boyle, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley.

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