Thursday 1 February 2018 13:37, UK
Joe Schmidt has selected 21-year-old Leinster lock James Ryan in his starting Ireland XV to face France in the Six Nations in Paris on Saturday, ahead of the experienced Devin Toner.
Toner, 31, has earned 53 caps for Ireland and has been a near ever-present under Schmidt since the Kiwi took charge of Ireland a little over four years ago, but must make do with a place among the replacements.
Ryan has earned four caps for Ireland since making his debut against the USA in June on the summer tour to the USA and Japan, earning the distinction of having played for the senior Irish team before he had represented his province Leinster at senior level.
The second row captained the Ireland U20's side throughout the 2015/16 season, leading them to a first victory over New Zealand en route to the final of the 2016 World Rugby U20 Championship - where they ultimately lost to England U20.
Ryan, who will partner Iain Henderson at the Stade de France, made his first senior Ireland start against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium in November, and has started five times for Leinster this season, including their most recent clash against Montpellier.
Elsewhere within the Ireland squad, Cian Healy has earned the nod over Jack McGrath at loosehead, Josh van der Flier has come in to replace the injured Sean O'Brien on the openside and Jacob Stockdale has remained on the left wing, alongside the returning Keith Earls and Rob Kearney.
In the centre, Bundee Aki partners Robbie Henshaw, while among the replacements, there are returns for hooker Sean Cronin, backrow Dan Leavy and out-half Joey Carbery.
Fergus McFadden has held off competition from the likes of Andrew Conway and Jordan Larmour to take the No 23 shirt.
Ireland team to play France: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Cian Healy, 2 Rory Best, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Iain Henderson, 5 James Ryan, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 CJ Stander.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 John Ryan, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Dan Leavy, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Fergus McFadden.
