The first home game of the 2015 Six Nations will see a very strong Irish side at Aviva Stadium
Joe Schmidt has been able to play with an almost full deck this week and the team he has selected to play France on Saturday reflects that.
Back in the No 10 slot is Johnny Sexton, a huge boost to the team ahead of such an important game. Sexton hasn’t played for anyone, club or country, since he went off in the Autumn international game against Australia, however, all in Carton House are saying the out-half has been playing like his old self and looking sharp.
There was bad news for Ian Keatley however. Despite his impressive performance in Rome, he’s been beaten to the bench by the more versatile Ian Madigan.
Other big names back in the fold are Sean O’Brien, whose minor hamstring issue forced him to withdraw late in Rome, and Jamie Heaslip, who returns at 8 in place of Jordi Murphy after his shoulder injury cleared up.
The front, and second rows are as you were, with Jack McGrath, and Mike Ross either side of Rory Best, who has recovered from a head injury last time out, while captain Paul O’Connell and Devin Toner continue their partnership behind them.
Conor Murray partners Sexton in the halfbacks, with Henshaw and Payne at inside and outside centre respectively.
The back three remains unchanged, with Simon Zebo and Tommy Bowe on the wings, and Rob Kearney at full-back.
Ireland: 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.
Subs: S Cronin, C Healy, M Moore, I Henderson, J Murphy, I Boss, I Madigan, F Jones
Ireland Team v France. Welcome back Johnny, @jamieheaslip & @ProperChurch on the bench #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/TZhbqn8JTX
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 12, 2015
