Injured Sexton misses Ireland-France Test

Ireland have been dealt a major blow with inspirational captain Jonathan Sexton ruled out of their Six Nations showdown with France in Paris.

The 36-year-old fly-half injured a hamstring in training on Wednesday and his place for Saturday's match will be taken by Joey Carbery, who will make his first Six Nations start.

Carbery played 16 minutes off the bench as Wales were humbled 29-7 last Saturday in Dublin - his first action since before Christmas when he broke an elbow.

Carbery for Sexton was the only selection change from the starting side which crushed Wales.

In the reserves, Lions Iain Henderson and Robbie Henshaw are back after sitting out the Wales game, so lock Ryan Baird and centre James Hume drop out.

Lock James Ryan will takes over the captaincy for the match between the two title favourites who both opened the tournament with bonus-point victories even if the French were scrappy in beating Italy 37-10.

But Ireland will miss the 102-cap Sexton's craft and guile in such a big game, giving France another edge in the halves with world player of the year Antoine Dupont alongside the silky Romain Ntamack.

France have made two changes, with Yoram Moefana replacing the injured Jonathan Danty at centre and flanker Francois Cros taking Dylan Cretin's place.

Cameron Woki continues at lock after burly tackler Bernard Le Roux was surprisingly left out of the squad.

Coach Fabien Galthie has again loaded his bench with forwards, calling them "finishers" who he expects to cause damage late on.

"Ireland don't give away many penalties at the moment, they're not whistled against much, and they know very well how to perform within the rules. We're a bit more unpredictable at times (and) there were a couple of tetchy reactions