Ireland captain ruled out of France clash

Ireland suffered a major blow ahead of tomorrow's Six Nations clash against France after captain Johnny Sexton (pictured below) 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 bonuspoint 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. — Reuters.