Expected Ireland team to face France

According to the Irish Independent, Joe Schmidt is ready to hand James Ryan his first start in a Six Nations match against France in Paris on Saturday.

The Leinster lock has enjoyed a breakthrough season with the Irish province after starring in Ireland's summer tour to USA & Japan, where he famously scored a try on debut before being capped provincially.

Ryan has played in all six of Leinster's European Champions Cup games this season and will partner Iain Henderson in the second-row against Les Bleus at the Stade de France.

The other selection dilemma relates to the No. 7 shirt in absence of British & Irish Lion flanker Sean O'Brien with a hip injury, Josh van Der Flier is in pole position to win the race for the clash against Jacques Brunel's side.

The former Wesley College back-rower beats competition from Jordi Murphy, while Dan Leavy is favourite to provide an abrasive impact off the bench.

Possible Ireland 23 to face France (4:45 PM, Saturday, Stade de France)

1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 73

2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 106 (capt)

3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 19

4. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 34

5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 4

6. Peter O' Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 42

7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) 9

8. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 18

9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 59

10. Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 68

11. Jacob Stockdale (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 4

12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 2

13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 31

14. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 62

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 78

Substitutes:

16. Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 56

17. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 42

18. John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster) 11

19. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 53

20. Dan Leavy (UCD/Leinster) 4

21. Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) 6

22. Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Leinster) 6

23. Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster) 6