Ireland’s expected team to face France contains three big calls

Win this game and the championship will hopefully open up for us.

On Thursday afternoon, Joe Schmidt will name his Ireland team to face France in their Six Nations opener. Many of the main players pick themselves, with Rory Best to captain a team containing the experienced likes of CJ Stander, Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, Keith Earls and Johnny Sexton. We are going with the second row combination of Devin Toner and Iain Henderson, despite a report from the contrary that James Ryan would be partnering the Ulsterman. Jettisoning Toner from the starting XV ahead of the trip for Paris would surely leave the 6' 10" lock vulnerable to making the match-day squad. Ryan apparently got plenty of reps with the senior stars at Carton House, and in Spain, so Schmidt could be planning on springing him on the French from the start. The other big call is at openside and we expect Josh van der Flier to be given the No.7 jersey for Saturday's game. That leaves Schmidt with another tough call, with Dan Leavy and Jordi Murphy in contention as back-up to the back row. Cian Healy is set to pip Jack McGrath to the starting loose-head role and pack down alongside Best and Tadhg Furlong. Elsewhere on the bench, Sean Cronin, Luke McGrath and Joey Carbery of Leinster are all set to feature.

IRELAND (Predicted XV)

Rob Kearney Keith Earls Robbie Henshaw Bundee Aki Jacob Stockdale Johnny Sexton Conor Murray Cian Healy Rory Best (captain) Tadhg Furlong Iain Henderson Devin Toner/James Ryan Peter O'Mahony Josh van der Flier CJ Stander

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath John Ryan, James Ryan/Ultan Dillane, Jordi Murphy, Luke McGrath, Joey Carbery, Andrew Conway. *Let us know who you think Joe Schmidt will go with over on our social media channels