O'Sullivan opts for changes
Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has made three changes in personnel and three positional switches to his line-up to play France in what is sure to be a daunting Six Nations away clash in Paris on Saturday.
Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has made three changes in personnel and three positional switches to his line-up to play France in what is sure to be a daunting Six Nations away clash in Paris on Saturday.
In the wake of yet another disappointing performance from Ireland, O'Sullivan has promoted Leinster duo Jamie Heaslip and Bernard Jackman to the starting line-up for the trip to Stade de France.
Heaslip slots in at number eight with Denis Leamy switching to blindside flanker and the out-of-form Simon Easterby dropping to the bench.
Jackman replaces Rory Best at hooker with the Ulster front row settling for a place among the replacements bench.
Due to Gordon D'Arcy's injury, O'Sullivan has selected Andrew Trimble at inside centre with Rob Kearney filling the vacancy on the left wing.
Trimble finished the Italy game in the midfield after D'Arcy had limped off with a broken arm that ended his championship.
The Ulsterman's physical presence and enthusiasm caused the Azzurri problems while Kearney also impressed after arriving as a first-half replacement for D'Arcy.
Leinster's Shane Horgan wins a place on the bench after completing his recovery from a rib injury in Friday's Ireland A defeat by England Saxons.
There is a minor concern over Leicester winger Geordan Murphy, who is struggling with an eye problem and missed training on Tuesday.
“Geordan is seeing an eye specialist this afternoon. The expectation is that he will be fine,” said O'Sullivan.
Heaslip and Jackman both made substitute appearances against Italy and O'Sullivan believes their ball-carrying will be crucial at the Stade de France.
“We decided to give the Leinster guys a run. Their form has been good and we wanted to see how they got on last week after coming off the bench,” said O'Sullivan.
“After seeing that it was only fair to give them a start. Both players are ball carriers and that will be beneficial for us in Paris.”
“Kearney's inclusion is reward for his display against Italy. He came off the bench and did really well.”
Ireland: 15 Girvan Dempsey (Leinster), 14 Geordan Murphy (Leicester), 13 Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), 12 Andrew Trimble (Ulster), 11 Rob Kearney (Leinster), 10 Ronan O'Gara (Munster), 9 Eoin Reddan (Wasps), 8 Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), 7 David Wallace (Munster), 6 Denis Leamy (Munster), 5 Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster), 4 Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster), 3 John Hayes (Munster), 2 Bernard Jackman (Leinster), 1 Marcus Horan (Munster)
Replacements: 16 Rory Best (Ulster), 17 Tony Buckley (Munster), 18 Mick O'Driscoll (Munster), 19 Simon Easterby (Llanelli Scarlets), 20 Peter Stringer (Munster), 21 Paddy Wallace (Ulster), 22 Shane Horgan (Leinster)
Date: Saturday, 9 February
Venue: Stade de France
Kick-off: 17:00 (16:00 GMT)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Touch judges: Wayne Barnes (England), Tim Hayes (Wales)
Television match official: Hugh Watkins (Wales)
Assessor: Tappe Henning (South Africa)