Declan Kidney has named the Irish team to play France in Paris this weekend.

Despite Jonathan Sexton returning to fitness, Kidney has decided to stick with Munster's Ronan O’Gara at out half, with the Leinster number 10 taking a place on the bench.

Kidney has replaced Andrew Trimble with Keith Earls on the wing, and Rob Kearney keeps his place at full back after one of his worst games in an Irish jersey against the Italians last weekend.

Kidney has left the blindside flanker spot open as he gives Stephen Ferris (pictured above) every chance to prove his fitness before the weekend.

Ireland team to play France:

1 - Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), 2 - Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster), 3 - John Hayes (Bruff/Munster), 4 - Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster),5 - Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster), 6 - A.N.Other, 7 - David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster), 8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster), 9 - Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster), 10 - Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster), 11 - Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), 12 - Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster), 13 - Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (capt), 14 - Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), 15 - Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)