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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Sunderland

Johnny Sexton ruled out of France fixture as Ireland confirm team for Six Nations clash

Ireland will be without captain Johnny Sexton for Saturday's Six Nations showdown against France in Paris, with Munster's Joey Carbery taking his spot at fly-half.

A hamstring injury suffered in training on Wednesday has ruled Sexton out of the trip in what is Ireland's only change to the starting XV, with Leinster team-mate James Ryan replacing him as captain.

Head coach Andy Farrell has kept largely the same squad that beat Wales 29-7 in their tournament-opener last Saturday, though Robbie Henshaw and Iain Henderson are among the notable newcomers.

A lack of fitness meant both veterans missed the Week 1 win over Wayne Pivac's side, but Henshaw and Henderson will provide some welcome experience from the bench at the Stade de France.

Ireland have confirmed Johnny Sexton won't be in the team to face France in the second round of the 2022 Six Nations (Getty Images)

Connacht fly-half Jack Carty has also been called up to provide cover among the replacements, taking Carbery's place on the bench.

Ireland had a wind in their sails following last weekend's convincing win over Wales, but there may be doubts as to how seriously they can challenge France without skipper Sexton present.

Australia-born Mack Hansen impressed mightily on his Ireland debut last time out and has been retained on the left wing, while Andrew Conway starts on the other flank after scoring twice against the Welsh.

France started slow but eventually found their groove to hammer Italy 37-10 last Sunday, where Toulon winger Gabin Villiere dazzled with a decisive hat-trick of tries.

Who will win at the Stade de France on Saturday? Let us know in the comments section.

Ireland dazzled in Dublin en route to a Week 1 win over Wales last time out (Niall Carson/PA Wire)

Les Bleus announced their line-up earlier on Thursday and made just two changes to their starting XV ahead of Ireland's visit.

Inside centre Jonathan Danty has been replaced by Yoram Moefana, while Dylan Cretin has moved out of the back row in place of Francois Cros.

Ireland have lost their last two meetings with France but only need to look back as far as 2018 for their most recent win in Paris, having gone unbeaten in eight of the last 11 meetings between these two teams.

Kick-off at the Stade de France is scheduled for 4.45pm, with one of the tournament's major favourites set to give up their undefeated status.

Ireland team vs. France

(Backs) Hugo Keenan; Andrew Conway, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen; Joey Carbery, Jamison Gibson-Park; (Forwards) Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan (capt); Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan

Reps: Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, Jack Carty, Robbie Henshaw

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