Sheehan out as Ireland name team for clash with France

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has made one change to his side for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations meeting with France at the Aviva Stadium.

Dan Sheehan has been ruled out for the visit of the Grand Slam champions after suffering a hamstring injury, with Rob Herring taking his place in the starting XV.

The rest of the team is unchanged from last week’s win in Cardiff, while Rónan Kelleher returns to the replacements’ bench after missing last week’s win with a hamstring injury.

Finlay Bealham and Andrew Porter resume propping duties, with Porter, James Ryan and replacement loosehead Dave Kilcoyne all in line to win their 50th caps at the Aviva Stadium.

Ryan and Tadhg Beirne are paired again in the second row, with Iain Henderson held in reserve, while it’s an unchanged back row of Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris.

Conor Murray starts at scrum half having reportedly been a doubt in recent days, while Johnny Sexton captains the side after missing the last two meetings with France due to injury.

Stuart McCloskey is again preferred as the centre partner for Garry Ringrose, with Bundee Aki among the replacements, while Mack Hansen, James Lowe and Hugo Keenan complete the side.

France head coach Fabien Gathie named his side earlier today, picking an unchanged first XV from last week’s win against Italy.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (capt), Conor Murray; Andrew Porter, Rob Herring, Finlay Bealham; Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan; Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Ross Byrne, Bundee Aki.