Doris delivers huge boost to Ireland for key France match / Photo: ANDY BUCHANAN - AFP
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Doris delivers huge boost to Ireland for key France match
Irish captain Caelan Doris is fit and will face France handing a massive boost to Ireland ahead of their potential Six Nations title decider in Dublin on Saturday.
The 26-year-old No 8, who missed the win over Wales last month owing to a knee injury, will win his 50th cap and is one of four changes to the starting XV from the Welsh match.
Fullback Hugo Keenan returns, as does prop Finlay Bealham, who was a replacement against the Welsh, and Bundee Aki comes in to partner Robbie Henshaw in the centres for the suspended Garry Ringrose.
Jamie Osborne, who stood in for Keenan against Wales, moves to the wing as Mack Hansen has a thigh injury.
Sam Prendergast and Jamison Gibson-Park, who has been outstanding thusfar, will form the half-back partnership.
Jack Conan, who started the Wales game instead of the injured Doris, has also recovered from a lower back problem and will be on the bench and like Bealham and Doris is set for his 50th Test appearance.
- 'Cracking contest' -
Alongside him on the replacements bench on what will be an emotional day at Lansdowne Road will be three legends making their final appearance at home.
Scrum-half Conor Murray -- who formed a world class half-back partnership with Johnny Sexton for many years -- Ireland's record caps-winner with 136 Cian Healy and last year's title winning skipper Peter O'Mahony will all retire from Test rugby after the final match against Italy.
"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," said interim head coach Simon Easterby.
"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."
The Irish are on course for an unprecedented third successive Six Nations title and are the only side capable of achieving the Grand Slam.
However, the French too have aspirations for the title -- England could also win it -- and are the last side to have won a Six Nations match in Dublin, in 2021.
Victory for the French would put them in pole position for the crown ahead of the final matches -- they host Scotland and Ireland are in Italy -- as their points difference is vastly better than their hosts on Saturday.
Easterby, standing in while Andy Farrell takes charge of the preparations for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, said it should be a cracking Test match.
"The team has worked hard again this week and the preparation has been positive for what we know will be a huge test against France," said Easterby.
"There's great respect and rivalry between the two teams and it should be a cracking contest."
Team
Hugo Keenan; Jamie Osborne, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Caelan Doris (capt), Josh van der Flier, Peter O'Mahony; Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy; Finlay Bealham, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Ryan Baird, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley
Coach: Simon Easterby (IRL)
M.Kieffer--LiLuX
