Sexton and Best return to Ireland line-up to take France

Ireland have received the much needed boost ahead of their upcoming Six Nations clash against France with the return of Johnny Sexton and Rory Best.

Sexton missed the opening two rounds of the tournament due to a calf injury that he sustained while playing for Leinster and now takes his position at 10 replacing Paddy Jackson, who will now move to the bench.

Also Best's return as hooker will push Niall Scannell back to replacements, which also features Cian Healy after he was replaced by Jack McGrath.

Meanwhile, fullback Rob Kearney and scrum-half Conor Murray will continue to retain their place after recovering from biceps and hip injuries respectively.

Peter O'Mahony also finds a place in the matchday 23 on his return from hamstring injury and will take the place of Josh Van der Flier, who is ruled out of the remainder of tournament following a shoulder injury.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt believes both Sexton and Jackson add a lot of value to the team

"It was a call like any other, we debated it and we do believe we get a good balance with having both players available," said Schmidt.

"It's very hard to come into a side and come off the bench when you haven't played. So starting the match has allowed Johnny a bit more training time with the team this week.

"It's a balance, and I think on Saturday based on how things have gone in the past we'll probably see both players in some positions in some stage of the game."

Ireland squad to take on France: Kearney; Earls, Ringrose, Henshaw, Zebo; Sexton, Murray; McGrath, Best, Furlong; D Ryan, Toner; Stander, O'Brien, Heaslip.

Replacements: N Scannell, Healy, J Ryan, Henderson, O'Mahony, Marmion, Jackson, Trimble.

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