Easterby backs 'fabulous' Osborne for wing role

Men's Six Nations: Ireland v France

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday, 8 March Kick-off: 14:15 GMT

Coverage: Listen live on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, Radio Ulster & BBC Sounds; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app; watch on ITV1

Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby says the "flexibility" offered by Jamie Osborne was key in his selection to face France in the Six Nations on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts at the Aviva Stadium have already secured the Triple Crown and are top of the table as they seek to become the first side to win three consecutive outright Six Nations titles.

Captain Caelan Doris is fit to start at number eight after missing the win over Wales last month, but wing Mack Hansen misses out with what Easterby described as "a bit of a quad strain".

Osborne will switch from full-back to take the place of Hansen with Hugo Keenan back in the number 15 jersey.

"He's done pretty well so far across the short international career he's had," said Easterby of Osborne.

"He's a fabulous footballer, first and foremost. He's got a physical presence and he's also got a really smart rugby brain. He understands the game and the feel of the game."

Munster wing Calvin Nash filled the number 14 jersey when Hansen missed out against Scotland in round two, while all of Osborne's previous Test starts have come at full-back.

The 23-year-old has came off the bench to play in the midfield for Ireland, and also appeared for his province Leinster on the left wing.

Saturday, however, will be his professional start at right wing.

Having named a 6-2 split on the bench, Easterby cited Osborne's ability to play across the backline should injuries occur as something that worked in his favour.

"So we've got a bit of flexibility there in terms of his positioning, a flexibility to move him around a little bit in certain parts of the field so we can utilise his left [foot], but he's also got a right foot as well.

"So there's a bit of flexibility within the system that would allow us to utilise him and Hugo in different positions.

"Sometimes there's really tight calls and it's just the gut, but in this case there's a couple of reasons for that and one of those is that Jamie offers us more flexibility in the positions he can play."

Ulster's Rob Herring has been named as Ireland's replacement hooker and will make his first appearance of the championship off the bench.

With Ronan Kelleher out with a neck injury, 21-year-old Gus McCarthy had worn the number 16 jersey against Wales.

Ireland's most capped player in history Cian Healy is the reserve loose-head prop, while Thomas Clarkson, who will win his sixth cap, is the replacement tight-head.

Easterby described his front-row bench selections as "horses for courses."

"There's very much a strong focus on our set-piece and how we need to keep building that," he said.

"I think Rob gives that little bit more experience and nous in a position which can be pretty tricky. What he will allow us to do as well is he'll have the opportunity to come off the bench with a younger player in Tom Clarkson.

"It gives him and Tom a nice bit of a connection, along with Cian and his experience on the other side of that."