Earls has been handed the No.11 jersey after Andrew Trimble complained of a strained hamstring in the 29-11 victory over Italy.

Coach Declan Kidney has not named anyone at blindside flanker while he waits on news of Stephen Ferris’ knee injury.

Leinster lock Leo Cullen remains in the starting XV after Donncha O’Callaghan failed to recover from the knee injury which saw him miss the Six Nations opener with the Azzurri.

Kidney has also named nine replacements but this will be cut to seven before Saturday.

Ireland team to face France: Kearney, Bowe, O’Driscoll (capt), D’Arcy, Earls, O’Gara, O’Leary; Healy, Flannery, Hayes, Cullen, O’Connell, AN Other, Wallace, Heaslip.

Replacements (from): Best, Court, Ryan, O’Brien, McLaughlin, Reddan, Sexton, Wallace, Trimble.