Jackson just needs to believe, says flanker

On a day Paddy Jackson was again handed the Irish No 10 shirt for the Six Nations meeting with France, the Ulster youngster was backed by colleagues to stand up to the French juggernaut.

Jackson passed a fitness test on the minor hamstring strain sustained on Monday. Ian Madigan offers cover from the bench with Jonathan Sexton still sidelined and Ronan O’Gara seemingly put out to grass by under-fire coach Declan Kidney.

Continuing the youthful theme, manager Mick Kearney revealed Munster prop Stephen Archer will fill the third vacancy to facilitate the injured Declan Fitzpatrick.