Ireland favourites ahead of France clash

Ireland enter their 2009 RBS 6 nations opener against France today in the unusual position of being favourites for the fixture.

The Irish had not beaten Les Bleus since the 2003 championship, a run spanning seven fixtures, but are expected to bring that run to an end at Croke Park this afternoon.

Rob Kearney has overcome an ankle strain to take his place at full-back, where he has been in dazzling form for Leinster, while Ulster’s in-form Paddy Wallace starts at inside centre.

Up front, coach Declan Kidney has kept faith with Ireland’s tried and tested personnel in the shape of an all-Munster tight five with Stephen Ferris and Jamie Heaslip giving the back row a youthful look.

France have recalled full-back Clement Poitrenaud, centre Florian Fritz and fly-half Lionel Beauxis from the wilderness with coach Marc Lievremont claiming his days of experimenting were over.

Ireland: Kearney, Bowe, B. O’Driscoll, P. Wallace, Fitzgerald, O’Gara, O’Leary, Horan, Flannery, Hayes, O’Callaghan, O’Connell, Ferris, D. Wallace, Heaslip.

Replacements: Best, Court, O’Kelly, Leamy, Stringer, D’Arcy, Murphy.

France: Poitrenaud, Malzieu, Fritz, Jauzion, Medard, Beauxis, Tillous-Borde, Faure, Szarzewski, Lecouls, Chabal, Nallet, Dusautoir, Ouedraogo, Harinordoquy.

Replacements: Kayser, Mas, Millo-Chulski, Picamoles, Parra, Baby, Heymans.

Referee: N Owens (Wales).