PETER O’Mahony is the big-name return for Ireland as the Munster man returns from injury to face France in the climatic final test match of the Six Nations campaign.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt announced this afternoon that the Munster captain will return to the squad and that Iain Henderson will drop to the replacements bench, in what will be the only change to Ireland’s starting 15 from the win over Italy last weekend.
Cian Healy is also included in the squad for Saturday’s visit to Paris and is no longer an injury concern after taking a knock to his ankle in their home game against Italy.
O’Mahony went off midway through the second half with a hamstring injury during Ireland’s 13-10 defeat against England at Twickenham almost three weeks ago, but has recovered in time for Ireland’s crunch tie.
Schmidt believes that O’Mahony’s return is will boost Ireland’s performance on the pitch and that his experience will benefit the team.
“It’s no disrespect to Ian, Peter played the three games before (injury) and is very experienced.
“He will bring the physicality that he expresses onto the field. It’s great to have him back.”
Henderson made his first Six Nations start in the place of Munster captain Peter O’Mahony, who was sidelined with a hamstring strain he sustained in the London fixture.
Speaking of the injuries that the team has faced during the tournament Schmidt said, “In England we got a couple of niggles, and did not have as broad a coverage as we could have. We were unable to cover midfield and fullback.”
The one change to the squad means that Schmidt has chosen just 18 starters in the five games of his first Six Nations campaign.
This unity could provide Ireland with an advantage over France who have made several more changes to the team, however, Schmidt did not disregard the challenge awaiting them.
Speaking of the media pressure that the French team have experienced in the build-up to the final game, Schmidt added: “As soon as outside pressure is put on a group, their unity becomes stronger. We’ve seen France do that several times, especially in a world cup.”
Ireland are in a good position to claim victory on Saturday – in what will be Brian O’Driscoll’s final game playing Test rugby - after their 46-7 triumph over Italy awarded them a plus-81 points difference.
Captain Paul O’Connell said of the final encounter of the tournament in France: “We go there with realistic expectations. We know how good they (France) are individually and as a team.
“France have a lot of big men in the pack, and it will be an incredibly very tough.
“We are confident we can win this last game, it’s a brilliant position for me to be in. It’s exciting for me as Ireland captain.”
Ireland Team v France– R Kearney; A Trimble; B O'Driscoll; G D'Arcy; D Kearney; J Sexton; C Murray; J Heaslip; C Henry; P O'Mahony; P O'Connell; D Toner; M Ross; R Best; C Healy
Replacements - S Cronin; J McGrath; M Moore; I Henderson; J Murphy; E Reddan; I Madigan; F McFadden
