Joe Schmidt has named the Ireland team to take on France in the Pool D decider, with the winner topping the pool.

In an unforeseen call, he has chosen to drop Ireland’s best player in the tournament so far, in Iain Henderson. Devin Toner comes in in the second row.

Cian Healy is also preferred to Jack McGrath on the loosehead of the scrum, joining Rory Best and Mike Ross in the front row. Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip are a well oiled unit in the back-row, while the indefatigable Paul O’Connell captains the team.

Jared Payne misses out with injury so Keith Earls takes his place in the centres, alongside Robbie Henshaw who made his own return from injury against Italy last weekend. Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton are the well-recognised half-back partnership. Tommy Bowe and Dave Kearney are preferred on the wings.

IRELAND TEAM TO PLAY FRANCE

15. Rob Kearney, 14. Tommy Bowe, 13. Keith Earls, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. Dave Kearney, 10. Johnny Sexton, 9. Conor Murray, 1. Cian Healy, 2. Rory Best, 3. Mike Ross, 4. Devin Toner, 5. Paul O’Connell, 6. Peter O’Mahony, 7. Sean O’Brien, 8. Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: 16. Richardt Strauss, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Nathan White, 19. Iain Henderson, 20. Chris Henry, 21. Eoin Reddan, 22. Ian Madigan, 23. Luke Fitzgerald