PADDY JACKSON HAS won his fitness battle and will start as outhalf for Ireland against France on Saturday.
The Ulster player proved his fitness to the Irish management team during training sessions yesterday and this morning. Team manager Mick Kearney says Jackson came through his fitness test with no adverse reactions.
Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has confirmed the 21-year-old will be tasked with the place-kicking duties against France at Lansdowne Road.
Jackson, who had pulled up with a tight hamstring during Monday training, successfully kicked one from four in the 12-8 loss to Scotland in Murrayfield.
He was given the kicking tee for Ulster in their Pro12 match with Benetton Treviso and landed seven kicks from nine attempts.
Statistically, Jackson performs better at Ravenhill, rather than away fixtures, for Ulster. Ireland will hope the trend continues in a green jersey.
The other selection decision to be made by Kidney is to draft in Steven Archer as tighthead cover for Mike Ross.
Ireland will be captained by Jamie Heaslip for the sixth time and are seeking their first win over France since 2009.
Ireland (v France): R Kearney; F McFadden, B O’Driscoll, L Marshall, K Earls; P Jackson, C Murray. C Healy, R Best, M Ross; M McCarthy, D Ryan; P O’Mahony, S O’Brien, J Heaslip (capt.)
Replacements: S Cronin, D Kilcoyne, S Archer, D O’Callaghan, I Henderson; E Reddan, I Madigan, L Fitzgerald.
