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Sexton and Murray ruled out of France game

Jamison Gibson Park and Billy Burns will start for Ireland against France in Sunday's Six Nations...
Phil Egan
Phil Egan

11.45 12 Feb 2021


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Sexton and Murray ruled out of...

Sexton and Murray ruled out of France game

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Phil Egan
Phil Egan

11.45 12 Feb 2021


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Jamison Gibson Park and Billy Burns will start for Ireland against France in Sunday's Six Nations clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton and vice-captain James Ryan both miss out after not hitting all their markers this week in the return to play protocols.

Sexton and Ryan both suffered head injuries in last weekend's defeat to Wales so have not being considered for selection this weekend.

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Conor Murray picked up a hamstring strain in training this week so Gibson Park comes in to start at 9 and will partner Burns.

Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose line out in the centre once again and the back three is unchanged with  Hugo Keenan at fullback flanked by Keith Earls and James Lowe.

Ulster’s Iain Henderson will captain Ireland for the first time and will be partnered in the second row by Tadhg Beirne.

The front row that started against Wales of Cian Healy, Rob Herring and Andrew Porter remains unchanged.

Healy will win his 106th cap taking him ahead of John Hayes (105) as Ireland’s most capped prop.

In the backrow,  Josh van der Flier and CJ Stander are joined by Rhys Ruddock, who will make his first international appearance since Ireland's World Cup quarter-final defeat to New Zealand in 2019.

There are four changes in the replacements as Ed Byrne, Ultan Dillane, Ross Byrne and the uncapped Craig Casey come in to join Ronan Kelleher, Tadgh Furlong, Will Connors and Jordan Larmour on the bench.

Ireland team to play France

15. Hugo Keenan
14. Keith Earls
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. James Lowe
10. Billy Burns
9. Jamison Gibson Park

1. Cian Healy
2. Rob Herring
3. Andrew Porter
4. Tadhg Beirne
5. Iain Henderson CAPTAIN
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Josh van der Flier
8. CJ Stander

Replacements

16. Ronan Kelleher
17. Ed Byrne
18. Tadhg Furlong
19. Ultan Dillane
20. Will Connors
21. Craig Casey
22. Ross Byrne
23. Jordan Larmour

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