A few big calls here.
Devin Toner’s recall at the expense of the in-form Iain Henderson is probably the biggest talking point from Joe Schmidt’s selection of the Irish team to play France on Sunday.
Toner will slot in alongside Paul O’Connell in a familiar second-row partnership, while in the centre, Keith Earls retains his place beside Robbie Henshaw with Jared Payne not deemed fit enough to make the matchday 23.
Here's the team for #FRAvIRE in #RWC2015 #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/sQGPJTiNzb
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 9, 2015
Cian Healy will start alongside Rory Best and Mike Ross in the front row, Rob Kearney returns to full-back, while Tommy Bowe and Dave Kearney have fought off competition from Luke Fitzgerald and Simon Zebo to take their place on the wings.
It’s the big one and it kicks off in Cardiff on Sunday at 4.45pm.
Ireland team to play France: Rob Kearney; Bowe, Earls, Henshaw, Dave Kearney; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best, Ross; O’Connell (captain), Toner; O’Mahony, O’Brien, Heaslip.
Subs: Strauss, McGrath, White, Henderson, Henry, Reddan, Madigan, Fitzgerald.
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