Ireland captain Sexton ruled out of France clash

DUBLIN :Ireland suffered a major blow ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash against France after captain Johnny Sexton was ruled out with a hamstring strain and replaced at flyhalf by Joey Carbery.

Ireland have become increasingly reliant on Sexton in recent years with Carbery struggling due to injuries and nobody else coming close to challenging the 36-year-old Leinster talisman for the number 10 jersey.

Carbery is the only change from the side who cruised past Wales 29-7 last weekend with fit-again British and Irish Lions Robbie Henshaw and Iain Henderson coming in to add considerable impact to the bench.

Ireland and France both beat New Zealand in some style last November and top the Six Nations standings after opening their campaigns with bonus-point wins.

Ireland team:

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster) 17 caps

14. Andrew Conway (Munster) 28 caps

13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster) 38 caps

12. Bundee Aki (Connacht) 34 caps

11. Mack Hansen (Connacht) 1 cap

10. Joey Carbery (Munster) 28 caps

9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 13 caps

8. Jack Conan (Leinster) 23 caps

7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster) 36 caps

6. Caelan Doris (Leinster) 13 caps

5. James Ryan (Leinster, captain) 41 caps

4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster) 26 caps

3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster) 53 caps

2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster) 17 caps

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster) 41 caps

Replacements

16. Dan Sheehan (Leinster) 3 caps

17. Cian Healy (Leinster) 113 caps

18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht) 19 caps

19. Iain Henderson (Ulster) 65 caps

20. Peter O'Mahony (Munster) 80 caps

21. Conor Murray (Munster) 93 caps

22. Jack Carty (Connacht) 10 caps

23. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster) 53 caps

(Reporting by Padraic Halpin, editing by Ed Osmond)