Ronan O'Gara will start in the pivotal position when Ireland take on France in a potential Six Nations decider on Saturday. The Munster stalwart retains the number 10 jersey ahead of the fit-again Jonathan Sexton, who was a star performer's when he kicked all the points as Ireland defeated South Africa in the autumn.
Sexton had been ruled out of last weekend's victory over Italy due to a dead leg. But this week both men are back in full training and it is the experience of O'Gara which is preferred by Declan Kidney for trip to the cauldron that is the Stade De France.
In the pack, the number six jersey is left vacant, as Stephen Ferris battles against a knee injury, while Leo Cullen has been penciled into the second row as Donncha O'Callaghan is still major doubt. Andrew Trimble is another casualty after a bruising opening encounter with the Azzuri. He will be replaced on the left wing by the dynamic Keith Earls.
Gordon D'Arcy will again line out alongside Brian O'Driscoll ahead of Paddy Wallace who occupied the number 12 shirt for much of last years Grand Slam campaign and also ably deputised at fly half in the closing stages of Saturday's victory.
Kidney has named a provisional nine man group of replacements which he will have to whittle down to seven once the injury news becomes clearer on Thursday.
Meanwhile, France Coach, Marc Lievremont, will name his starting 15 on Wednesday but has already made three enforced changes to his squad. Wings Aurelien Rougerie and Benjamin Fall and prop Luc Ducalcon, who all sustained injuries in the 18-9 win over Scotland, will be replaced in the 23 man party by Alexis Palisson, Julien Malzieu and prop Jean-Baptiste Poux.
The injury to a danger man like Rougerie will not provide the slightest relief for Kidney's team as he will most likely be replaced by Vincent Clerc. The Toulouse wing has tormented Ireland in recent years scoring seven tries along the way, including the score which denied a famous victory in the first game at Croke Park.
Ireland XV to face France
15 - Rob Kearney, 14 - Tommy Bowe, 13 - Brian O'Driscoll (capt), 12 - Gordon D'Arcy, 11 - Keith Earls, 10 - Ronan O'Gara, 9 - Tomas O'Leary, 1 - Cian Healy, 2 - Jerry Flannery, 3 - John Hayes, 4 - Leo Cullen, 5 - Paul O'Connell, 6 - A.N.Other, 7 - David Wallace, 8 - Jamie Heaslip
Replacements (provisional):
Rory Best, Tom Court, Donnacha Ryan, Sean O'Brien, Kevin McLaughlin, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Paddy Wallace, Andrew Trimble
France Squad to Face Ireland (starting XV to be named tomorrow)
Forwards: T Domingo, S Marconnet, N Mas, J-B Poux, W Servat, D Szarzewski, L Nallet, P Pape, J Pierre, J Bonnaire, T Dusautoir, I Harinordoquy, F Ouedraogo.
Backs: C Poitrenaud, V Clerc, J Malzieu, A Palisson; M Bastareaud, Y Jauzion, D Marty; F Michalak, F Trinh-Duc, M Parra.
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