Ireland flanker ruled out of France clash

Leinster and Ireland flanker Josh van der Flier has been ruled out of them men in greens Six Nations clash with France in Dublin on Saturday after suffering a shoulder injury.

The 23-year-old was forced off early in the province’s Pro12 win over Edinburgh on Friday and was not included in a 34-man squad named by coach Joe Schmidt.

Fly-half Jonathan Sexton, who has yet to play in this season’s Championship due to injury, is named in the squad.

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Also included in the squad is full-back Rob Kearney despite recent concerns regarding the arm injury he suffered against Italy in Round Two.

Ireland have won one and lost one match so far and face France this Saturday before going to Wales and then hosting England last up.

Ireland squad (v France):

Forwards: Best (Ulster), Furlong (Leinster), Healy (Leinster), Heaslip (Leinster), Henderson (Ulster), Leavy (Leinster), McGrath (Leinster), O’Brien (Leinster), O’Donnell (Munster), O’Mahony (Munster), Roux (Connacht), D Ryan (Munster), J Ryan (Munster), N Scannell (Munster), CJ Stander (Munster), Toner (Leinster), Tracy (Leinster).

Backs: Bowe (Ulster), Conway (Munster), Earls (Munster), Gilroy (Ulster), Henshaw (Leinster), Jackson (Ulster), Kearney (Leinster), Keatley (Munster), Marmion (Connacht), L Marshall (Ulster), McGrath (Leinster), Murray (Munster), O’Halloran (Connacht), Ringrose (Leinster), Sexton (Leinster), Trimble (Ulster), Zebo (Munster).