Johnny Sexton and James Ryan both miss out as Andy Farrell has named his Ireland team for Sunday’s six nations game with France in the Aviva Stadium.
Ulster’s Iain Henderson will captain Ireland for the first time and will be partnered in the row by Tadhg Beirne.
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton and vice-captain James Ryan have not hit all their markers this week in the return to play protocols so are not considered for selection.
The front row that started against Wales of Cian Healy, Rob Herring and Andrew Porter is retained while in the backrow Josh van der Flier and CJ Stander are joined by Rhys Ruddock who slots in on the blindside flank.
Jamison Gibson Park partners Billy Burns in the half-backs, Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose line out in the centre and Hugo Keenan will again marshal the backfield with the assistance of Keith Earls and James Lowe.
There are four changes in the replacements as Ed Byrne, Ultan Dillane, Ross Byrne and the uncapped Craig Casey come in while Ronan Kelleher, Tadgh Furlong, Will Connors and Jordan Larmour complete the bench for the weekend.
Ireland:
- Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD)
- Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster)
- Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD)
- Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers)
- James Lowe (Leinster)
- Billy Burns (Ulster)
- Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster)
Forwards
- Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf)
- Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch)
- Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD)
- Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne)
- Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) captain
- Rhys Ruddock (Leinster/St Mary’s College)
- Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD)
- CJ Stander (Munster/Shannon)
Replacements
- Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne)
- Ed Byrne (Leinster/UCD)
- Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf)
- Ultan Dillane (Connacht/Corinthians)
- Will Connors (Leinster/UCD)
- Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon)
- Ross Byrne (Leinster/UCD)
- Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College)
IRELAND v France
2021 Guinness 6 Nations Championships
Sunday 14th February, 2021
Kick-off: 3pm
