Herring and McCloskey to start in France test

Ulster hooker Rob Herring and centre Stuart McCloskey have been named in Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell's starting XV to take on France this Saturday in Round 2 of the Guinness Six Nations.

Ulster hooker Herring makes his first start of the tournament, with Farrell counting on his wealth of international experience against the current Grand Slam holders.

Stuart McCloskey keeps his place in the midfield for Ireland after an impressive opening round performance against Wales last weekend.

Ulster's club captain Iain Henderson and prop Tom O'Toole will hope to make their impact from the bench.

IRELAND v France<br>
Saturday 11th February 2023, KO 14:15 <br>
RTE TV / ITV / RTE Radio / BBC Radio

Team in full

15\. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 26 caps<br>
14\. Mack Hansen (Connacht/Corinthians) 10 caps<br>
13\. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 48 caps<br>
12\. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 10 caps<br>
11\. James Lowe (Leinster) 16 caps<br>
10\. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 110 caps (c)<br>
9\. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 101 caps

1\. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 49 caps<br>
2\. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 32 caps<br>
3\. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 28 caps<br>
4\. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 37 caps<br>
5\. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 49 caps<br>
6\. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 90 caps<br>
7\. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 46 caps<br>
8\. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 24 caps

Replacements:

16\. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 18 caps<br>
17\. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 49 caps<br>
18\. Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 5 caps<br>
19\. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 69 caps<br>
20\. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 34 caps<br>
21\. Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 8 caps<br>
22\. Ross Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 15 caps<br>
23\. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 42 caps