Six Nations 2017: Ireland team to play France

Six Nations 2017: Ireland team to play France

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has made three changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s Six Nations clash with France in Dublin.

First-choice hooker Rory Best returns to captain the team after being sidelined in the Round 2 win against Italy in Rome through illness.

Fly-half Jonathan Sexton is also back in the Ireland team this weekend for his first match the 2017 tournament.


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Conor Murray and Sexton are named at half-back with Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose continuing their midfield partnership.

Rob Kearney, Keith Earls and Simon Zebo complete the back three.

The replacements are Niall Scannell, Cian Healy, John Ryan, Iain Henderson, Peter O’Mahony, Kieran Marmion, Paddy Jackson and Andrew Trimble.

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip (c), 7 Sean O’Brien, 6 CJ Stander, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rory Best, 1 Jack McGrath
Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Cian Healy, 18 John Ryan, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Paddy Jackson, 23 Andrew Trimble