Jonathan Sexton ruled out for Ireland

Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton has been ruled out of their Six Nations clash with France due to a muscular injury.

Paddy Jackson is also a doubt having picked up a hamstring injury in training, but head coach Declan Kidney has revealed that Jackson will train on Thursday.

"He should be good to go for training again on Thursday," Kidney told reporters at a press conference.

Sexton is expected to be fit for Ireland's final match of the tournament against Italy on March 16.

Ireland: R Kearney; F McFadden, B O'Driscoll, L Marshall, K Earls, AN Other, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross; M McCarthy, D Ryan; P O'Mahony, S O'Brien, J Heaslip

Replacements: S Cronin, D Kilcoyne, AN Other; D O'Callaghan, I Henderson, E Reddan; AN Other, L Fitzgerald