Six Nations: Herring returns to Ireland squad for France clash

Ulster's Rob Herring is in line to make his first appearance in this year's Six Nations this weekend.

He's been named on the bench by Head Coach Simon Easterby for Saturday's clash against France at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.

Captain Caelan Doris returns to the team and is one of three players – alongside Finlay Bealham and Jack Conan – set to win their 50th Test caps in green this weekend.

Having announced their decision to call time on their international careers at the conclusion of the tournament, Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray are all included in the squad and are in line for their final Ireland appearances in Dublin.

Hugo Keenan returns to the full-back position, with Jamie Osborne switching to the right wing and James Lowe continuing on the left, while Bundee Aki partners Robbie Henshaw in the Ireland midfield.

There is an unchanged half-back pairing as Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast start at scrum-half and out-half respectively.

In the pack, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Bealham start in the front row, with Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne named in the engine room. O’Mahony will win his 113th Ireland cap as he starts in the back row alongside Josh van der Flier at openside and captain Doris at number eight.

Joining Herring in the replacements are Healy, Thomas Clarkson, James Ryan, Jack Conan and Ryan Baird as the forward reinforcements, while backs Murray and Jack Crowley complete Ireland’s 23.

Mack Hansen (quad) and Rónan Kelleher (neck) are unavailable for selection due to injury, while Saturday’s match came too soon for Tadhg Furlong who continues to progress in his rehabilitation.

Ireland team to play France, Six Nations, Aviva Stadium, Saturday March 8 (2.15pm)

15-9: Hugo Keenan, Jamie Osborne, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park

1-8: Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (C)

Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Ryan Baird, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley