Rory Best returns to lead strong Ireland XV

Ireland have been boosted by the return of several key players for their Six Nations fixture against France at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

Hooker Rory Best returns to the starting line-up to captain the side and is joined in the front-row by Leinster pair Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong.

Iain Henderson and James Ryan are partnered in the second-row with Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier and CJ Stander named in the back-row.

Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton are named as the half-backs for the game in Dublin with Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose filling the centre spots.

Further back, Rob Kearney is set to win his 90th cap on Sunday and he is joined in the backfield by Keith Earls and Jacob Stockdale this weekend.

Ireland’s replacements are Niall Scannell, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, Ultan Dillane, Jack Conan, John Cooney, Jack Carty and Jordan Larmour.

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 James Ryan, 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rory Best (c), 1 Cian Healy
Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 John Ryan, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Jack Conan, 21 John Cooney, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Jordan Larmour

Date: Sunday, March 10
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Karl Dickson (England)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

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