Ireland make two changes for Pool D showdown against France

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has made two changes to the side that defeated Italy for Sunday's Pool D showdown against France at the Rugby World Cup.

Cian Healy will start his first game of the tournament, playing alongside Mike Ross and Rory Best in the front row, while Rob Kearney comes in at full-back.

Paul O'Connell will captain the team, while number eight Jamie Heaslip, Sean O'Brien and Peter O'Mahony will make up the back row.

The nation's leading try scorer in the tournament Keith Earls keeps his place at centre, partnering Robbie Henshaw, while Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton will start at half-back.

Devin Toner will receive his 30th cap in a game in which the winner will finish top of Pool D.

Ireland team to play France:

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster), 14. Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), 13. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), 12. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht), 11. Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster), 10. Jonathan Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster), 9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), 1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), 2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), 3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster), 4. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster), 5. Paul O'Connell (Young Munster) captain, 6. Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster), 7. Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster), 8. Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster)

Replacements: 16. Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster), 17. Jack McGrath (St Mary's College/Leinster), 18. Nathan White (Connacht), 19. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster), 20. Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster), 21. Eoin Reddan (Old Crescent/Leinster), 22. Ian Madigan (Blackrock/Leinster), 23. Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock/Leinster)