Six Nations: Caelan Doris returns as Jamie Osborne named on wing for Ireland's French test

Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby has opted for a 6/2 bench split

PRIMED AND READY: Caelan Doris during an Ireland Rugby open training session at the Aviva Stadium. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Ireland captain Caelan Doris is one of four changes made to the team to face France in Dublin this weekend with interim head coach Simon Easterby also opting for a 6/2 bench split between forwards and backs.

France, as was signposted, have gone for another 7/1 split among their replacements.

Doris ended a run of 42 consecutive games for his country when sitting out the win against Wales in Cardiff. His recovery in time to slot back in at No.8 is a huge boost ahead of a Six Nations showdown that is expected to decide which team takes the title.

Jamie Osborne moves from full-back to wing to replace Mack Hansen who is out with a quad problem. That allows Hugo Keenan – rotated out of the squad for the game in the Principality Stadium – back in to his customary full-back position.

Bundee Aki, who made such a huge impact when replacing Garry Ringrose after the latter’s 20-minute red card against the Welsh, comes back in to the midfield alongside his old Connacht teammate Robbie Henshaw.

The other change to the XV sees Finlay Bealham, who backed up Thomas Clarkson two weekends ago, return to the front row. Thomas Clarkson will be part of the second wave given Tadhg Furlong has yet again failed to prove his fitness in time for a major game.

The Wexford man hasn’t played for Ireland now since last summer.

Andy Farrell went with a 6:2 split on the bench against the French in Marseille at the start of last year’s Six Nations and Easterby has followed suit with Conor Murray and Jack Crowley the only two backs to call on during the game.

Rob Herring is the reserve hooker. The Ulster man has yet to feature in this campaign but he gets the nod given Rónan Kelleher has been dealing with a neck issue. The third front row replacement is Cian Healy.

The Leinster prop, along with Murray and Peter O’Mahony who starts again on the blindside, will be making his final Test appearance on home soil after that trio announced their imminent international retirements last week.

Ireland’s choice of six forward replacements means that they will also be able to call on James Ryan, Jack Conan (who has shrugged off a lower back ailment) and Ryan Baird to counter the behemoth French pack and seven reserves chosen.

It’s a selection replete with talking points, some of the others being the choice of the versatile Osborne over Calvin Nash who is a more natural wing, and the selection of Herring over young Gus McCarthy who was back-up a fortnight ago.

“There’s great respect and rivalry between the two teams and it should be a cracking contest,” said Easterby.

“This weekend gives the Irish public the chance to mark the final home international appearances for Peter, Cian and Conor – three stalwarts of Irish rugby who help drive the highest standards in our camp.

“I would also like to congratulate Finlay, Jack and Caelan on reaching the 50-cap milestone. It’s a huge moment for them, their families and their team-mates and we will look to make it a day to remember for each of these players.” 

France coach Fabien Galthié has repeated the 7:1 selection that he went with for their eleven-try destruction of Italy in Rome. 

La Rochelle’s Gregory Alldritt is fit to start despite a midweek injury scare while Damian Penaud has been recalled to the wing.

Penaud returns for France having been dropped for the win over Italy after his struggles in the loss to England in Twickenham and the wing is just one try off equalling Serge Blanco’s national record of 38.

Théo Attissogbe, who came in for Penaud against Italy, drops out of the 23 due to the 7-1 split despite having performed well in Rome.

“Damian returns because he brings a certain quality to the team in being a finisher and he is ready to do that,” said Galthié.

Ntamack hasn’t played competitively since the end of January having served a suspension but the French head coach declared himself to be unconcerned by any possible lack of match rhythm for what he admits will be an “immense challenge”.

And as for that 7:1?

“I repeat myself in saying there is always a risk but I feel this is the most relevant bench for the match against Ireland.”

The stage has been set.

Ireland: H Keenan; J Osborne, R Henshaw, B Aki, J Lowe; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan, F Bealham; J McCarthy, T Beirne; P O’Mahony, J van der Flier, C Doris.

Replacements: R Herring, C Healy, T Clarkson, J Ryan, J Conan, R Baird, C Murray, J Crowley.

France: T Ramos; D Penaud, L Barassi, Y Moefana, L Bielle-Biarrey, R Ntamack, A Dupont; JB Gros, P Mauvaka, U Atonio; T Flament, M Guillard; F Cros, P Boudehent, G Alldritt.

Replacements: C Baille, J Marchand, D Aldegheri, E Meafou, H Auradou, O Jegou, A Jelonch, M Lucu.