Late injury blow sees Ireland go back to basics for France

Mathieu Bastareaud and the French back row are heading Ireland's way.

Joe Schmidt has recalled Rob Kearney to his backline but plans to reintroduce Jared Payne at outside centre have been scuppered by injury. The Kiwi's bruised foot will now keep him out of action for a second match running. Keith Earls had, according to several reports, been left out of the matchday 23 but an apparent rejig sees him back in the 13 jersey. Elsewhere, Cian Healy starts at loosehead and Devin Toner is promoted to the second row. Jack McGrath and Iain Henderson are forced to settle for bench roles. Dave Kearney and Tommy Bowe are on the wings while Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton continue as the half-back pairing. The back row remains unchanged, with Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip all starting for the second game in a row. https://twitter.com/IrishRugby/status/652476171980902400 Paul O'Connell captains the side from the second row. Stalwarts Rory Best and Mike Ross are up front. Earlier today, France named a beefy starting XV for Sunday's match at the Millennium Stadium [kick-off 4:45pm].