Earls back in as Ireland aim to banish French curse

Declan Kidney has welcomed Keith Earls back into Ireland’s starting 15 for the daunting test against France.

Outside-centre Earls, who missed the agonising 23–21 opening Six Nations defeat to Wales due to a family matter, is the only change for the trip to Paris, with Fergus McFadden dropping to the bench.

The Munster man was originally included in the starting line-up for the defeat at the Aviva Stadium, as a replacement for the long term absentee, Brian O'Driscoll.

The pressure is already on Kidney and his side face a difficult task if they are to remain in the hunt for the Six Nations title, with Ireland only beating France in Paris once in the last 40 years.

Ireland team to face France in Six Nations

15 Rob Kearney (Leinster)
14 Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 Keith Earls (Munster)
12 Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster)
11 Andrew Trimble (Ulster)
10 Jonathan Sexton (Leinster)
9 Conor Murray (Munster)
1 Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4 Donncha O'Callaghan (Munster)
5 Paul O'Connell (Munster, capt)
6 Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
8 Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements

16 Sean Cronin (Leinster)
17 Tom Court (Ulster)
18 Donnacha Ryan (Munster)
19 Peter O’Mahony (Munster)
20 Eoin Reddan (Leinster)
21 Ronan O'Gara (Munster)
22 Fergus McFadden (Leinster)