One surprise inclusion in exciting Ireland squad to face France

These are the 23 men Joe Schmidt will task with getting Ireland off to a winning start in Paris.

The Ireland head coach has, as predicted, handed Six Nations debuts to Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale and James Ryan. Schmidt named his match-day squad at Carton House, this afternoon, and Josh van der Flier was included as openside.

Two of the other big calls include Ryan nudging into the second row, and demoting veteran lock Devin Toner to the bench, and Cian Healy getting the start ahead of Jack McGrath.

Elsewhere, Conor Murray [below] and Johnny Sexton continue their fruitful half-back partnership and Aki joins Robbie Henshaw in midfield. Stockdale is part of a back three with the experienced Keith Earls and Rob Kearney.

Captain Rory Best packs down with Healy and Tadhg Furlong in the front row, Ryan is joined by Iain Henderson in the second, and Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander keep van der Flier company at the back of the pack.

The replacements’ bench features the shock, yet merited, return of Fergus McFadden. The Leinster winger looked to be way back in the wingers queue, last November, but he is in a good run of form and can cover all backline positions, bar scrum-half.

Sean Cronin makes a welcome return to the Ireland squad, as does Joey Carbery, while Luke McGrath has pipped Kieran Marmion to the role of backing up Conor Murray.

Ireland take on France in their Six Nations opener, in Paris, from 4:45pm [Irish time] this Saturday.

IRELAND

Rob Kearney

Keith Earls
Robbie Henshaw
Bundee Aki
Jacob Stockdale

Johnny Sexton
Conor Murray

Cian Healy
Rory Best (captain)
Tadhg Furlong

Iain Henderson
James Ryan

Peter O’Mahony
Josh van der Flier
CJ Stander

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath John Ryan, Devin Toner, Luke McGrath, Joey Carbery, Fergus McFadden.

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