Rob Herring starts for Ireland against France because Conor Murray is healthy

Injured hooker Dan Sheehan has been replaced by Rob Herring for Saturday’s Six Nations match between Ireland and France.

Due to a hamstring strain, Ronan Kelleher, who is now healthy, replaces Sheehan on the matchday roster.

Conor Murray, a Munster scrum-half, is chosen in the half-backs alongside captain Johnny Sexton despite questions about his fitness.

Fly-half Despite being forced to leave the game against Wales, Sexton is starting.

Farrell later explained that Sexton’s fitness issue was a dead leg rather than a brain injury, notwithstanding the initial claim that he had undergone a head injury evaluation.

Due to Sexton’s availability, he will start Saturday’s Test against title rivals and defending Grand Slam champions France. Despite defeating Italy 29-24 in Rome to open this year’s tournament, France will not make any changes for the Dublin match.

Sexton, 37, was sidelined by a hamstring injury for the loss in Paris the previous year.

Sheehan, 24, had played in all 11 of Ireland’s games in 2022, solidifying his position as Farrell’s first-choice hooker, so his absence will be felt keenly by the nation.

It’s not nice for Dan, Farrell acknowledged.

“a great athlete in peak condition. A player in that kind of form wouldn’t be missed by anyone. Even though I keep saying the same things, it’s excellent since the World Cup will eventually witness this exact scenario.

“It will always be about the group because international rugby is only going to get better and better.

“You only have a small squad when you get to the World Cup. Since there is a 12-day turnaround for concussions, you will always have less patients than expected and will need to be flexible.”