Stringer dropped for France clash

Ireland Coach Eddie O'Sullivan has made three changes to the starting Ireland team that will play France in Group D of the Rugby World Cup in Paris on Saturday.

In the backs there are two changes in personnel. Andrew Trimble, who has recovered from his finger injury, comes onto the left wing in place of Denis Hickie. The other change sees Eoin Reddan named at scrumhalf in place of Peter Stringer.

In the pack, Jerry Flannery makes his first start of the tournament at hooker instead of Rory Best.

There are also two changes to the replacements, with Frankie Sheahan and Gavin Duffy being named in the match 22.

The Ireland team to play France on Friday, 21st September 2007 in the Stade de France, Paris at 9pm is as follows:

15 - Girvan Dempsey

14 - Shane Horgan

13 - Brian O'Driscoll

12 - Gordon D'Arcy

11 - Andrew Trimble

10 - Ronan O'Gara

9 - Eoin Reddan

1 - Marcus Horan

2 - Jerry Flannery

3 - John Hayes

4 - Donncha O'Callaghan

5 - Paul O'Connell

6 - Simon Easterby

7 - David Wallace

8 - Denis Leamy

Replacements:

16 - Frankie Sheahan

17 - Simon Best

18 - Malcolm O'Kelly

19 - Neil Best

20 - Isaac Boss

21 - Paddy Wallace

22 - Gavin Duffy