Jonny Sexton Returns
Jonny Sexton returns to the Ireland colours immediately after being passed fit from a Parisian neurologist after a 12 week lay off from a head knock. Joe Schmidt has named him in the Ireland team to face France this Saturday that features X changes. Jonny Sexton returns from headknocks and is joined by fellow Lions Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip in the starting lineup.
Cian Healy returns to feature from the bench, with James Cronin dropping out. There's no room for last week's hero Tommy O'Donnell in the 23 as Schmidt prefers the versatility that Jordi Murphy brings to the back row options from the bench.
Ian Keatley is left out aswell, as Schmidt believes Madigan can provide more impact and options coming on than the Munsterman.
They are the only changes to the team as Henshaw and Payne are given another go in the centres, while Simon Zebo has done enough to keep him ahead of the likes of Luke Fitzgerald and Keith Earls.
Ireland Team To Face France:
15. Rob Kearney
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Jared Payne
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Simon Zebo
10. Jonny Sexton
9. Conor Murray
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Paul O'Connell (c)
6. Peter O'Mahony
7. Sean O'Brien
8. Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin
17. Cian Healy
18. Marty Moore
19. Iain Henderson
20. Jordi Murphy
21. Isaac Boss
22. Ian Madigan
23. Felix Jones
Photo Credit Matt Browne/Sportsfile
See Also: France Name Their Team To Play Ireland
