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Kearney, O'Brien back for Ireland

By
Thursday 11 Feb 2016

The defending champions are struggling with a spate of injuries, so news of this trio's inclusion for Saturday's trip to the Stade de France will have come as a welcome boost for coach Joe Schmidt.

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Both flank O'Brien and fullback Kearney missed last weekend's opening 16-16 home draw with Wales in which Sexton picked up a shoulder knock.

O'Brien completes a back row containing CJ Stander and Jamie Heaslip, with Tommy O’Donnell replacing Rhys Ruddock on the bench.

Kearney's younger brother Dave comes in on the left wing instead of Keith Earls, who along with Munster flyer Simon Zebo miss the trip to Paris.

Zebo has failed to recover from a knee problem while Earls was unable to recover from suspected concussion.

Fergus McFadden is drafted in on the bench.

Schmidt took the unusual decision of delaying his team announcement until after Thursday's training.

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"We were just trying to clarify the fitness of Simon Zebo and Keith Earls, both of whom we have left out of the squad," Schmidt said.

"They got through training and at the same time we just felt they weren't 100 per cent fit. We just felt it was a risk."

Kearney, O'Brien back for Ireland

Date: Saturday, February 13

Venue: Stade de France, Paris

Kick-off: 15.25 (14.25 GMT)

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Stuart Berry (South Africa)

TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)

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