Ireland have made two changes to their starting lineup for this weekend's Six Nations clash against France in Dublin.

Josef Schmidt's men saw off Italy to get their campaign off to a winning start last time out, and they will be looking to make it two out of two against France at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

The big news is that fly-half Johnny Sexton returns to the fold for the first time since November, while Jamie Heaslip is also recalled to the back row.

Paul O'Connell will captain the side, meanwhile, where he will be partnered in the second row by Devin Toner.

Ireland team to face France: Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Jared Payne (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht), Simon Zebo (Cork Con/Munster), Johnny Sexton (Racing Metro), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster), Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster), Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster) captain, Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster), Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster)

Replacements: Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Isaac Boss (Terenure/Leinster), Ian Madigan (Blackrock/Leinster), Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster)