Fly-half spot for Jackson

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has opted to retain Paddy Jackson at fly-half for Saturday's Six Nations meeting with France in Dublin.

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has opted to retain Paddy Jackson as his ten for Saturday's Six Nations clash with France at the Aviva Stadium.

An opening had been left in the 23 for the starting and replacement fly-half due to Jackson suffering from a tight hamstring, but he came through both kicking and training as expected and will start.

Leinster's uncapped Ian Madigan earns his first call-up to an international matchday squad.

The replacement tighthead slot has also been confirmed with the uncapped Munster prop Stephen Archer named in the replacements.

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Fergus McFadden, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip (c) 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Mike McCarthy, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 David Kilcoyne, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Ian Madigan, 22 Luke Fitzgerald.

Date: Saturday, March 9
Kick-off: 17:00
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Greg Garner (England)
Television match official: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)