Six Nations: Ireland captain Johnny Sexton to miss France game with hamstring injury

Sexton injured his hamstring in training on Wednesday

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton will miss his side's Six Nations game against France having suffered a hamstring injury in training.

James Ryan will skipper the side in Sexton's absence.

British and Irish Lions Iain Henderson and Robbie Henshaw are on the bench having missed the Wales game due to lack of match fitness.

Their inclusion means lock Ryan Baird and outside centre James Hume drop out of the matchday 23.

• 'It's enjoyable because we're winning' - Sexton

Ireland: Keenan; Conway, Ringrose, Aki, Hansen; Carbery, Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Furlong; Beirne, Ryan (c); Doris, van der Flier, Conan.

Replacements: Sheehan, Healy, Bealham, Henderson, O'Mahony, Murray, Carty, Henshaw.

Sexton's injury has rocked Irish preparations after they emerged from the 29-7 win over Wales unscathed. The 36-year-old fly-half suffered the injury on Wednesday in Ireland's final full day of training before flying to Paris.

Sexton also missed last year's Six Nations game against France, with Ulster's Billy Burns filling in at number 10 on that occasion.

This time the responsibility rests with Munster's Carbery - who has established himself as Sexton's chief understudy despite a run of injuries in recent years.

Carbery featured in all three of Ireland's autumn internationals, coming on twice as a replacement for Sexton before starting the final Test against Argentina.

Connacht fly-half Jack Carty is in line to make his first Ireland appearance since the 2019 World Cup from the bench.

Lions pair Henderson and Henshaw ready for return

An otherwise unchanged starting side is no surprise given the manner with which Ireland put Wales to the sword in Dublin last Saturday, as Mack Hansen retains his place on the left wing having sparkled on debut.

Farrell has resisted the temptation to start experienced campaigners Henderson and Henshaw having opted not to risk either against Wales, instead allowing them an extra week to fully recover from injury.

Both players have had very limited time on the field this season, with Henderson making just three appearances for club and country - two of which lasted less than 50 minutes.

Iain Henderson and Robbie Henshaw are named on the bench having not been risked against Wales

Having started against New Zealand in November the Ulster skipper was a late withdrawal from Ireland's final autumn Test against Argentina due to a hamstring injury.

He returned a month later for Ulster's Champions Cup win over Northampton but was forced off after 47 minutes with an ankle problem.

Similarly Henshaw - a star performer for Ireland and the Lions last year, has played only four games across all competitions this season.

The centre most recently featured in Leinster's demolition of Bath in January but must settle for a place among the replacements as Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki continue in midfield following their excellent displays last weekend.