O'Leary doubtful for France game

2011 SIX NATIONS: IRELAND v FRANCE
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Sunday, 13 February Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Live on BBC Two, Red Button and online from 1430-1700; Commentary on Radio 5 live and live text commentary on BBC Sport website

Tomas O'Leary has been bothered by a stiff back this weekPeter Stringer has been added to the Ireland squad for Sunday's Six Nations game against France because of doubts over Tomas O'Leary's fitness.

Scrum-half O'Leary's training has been restricted in recent days because of a stiff back.

"Tomas is not ruled out...but we will wait and see how he progresses," said Irish team manager Paul McNaughton.

If O'Leary does not prove his fitness, Eoin Reddan is likely to start at scrum-half with Stringer on the bench.

Stringer was scheduled to take part in Munster's Magners League game this weekend but will now remain with the Ireland squad until Sunday.

O'Leary was thought to be under some pressure to hold on to his starting role against the French after struggling against Italy last weekend.

However, coach Declan Kidney opted for only one change from the Rome contest with fit-again Jamie Heaslip replacing Denis Leamy in the back row.

Leamy dropped to the replacements' bench, with Sean O'Brien moving to blind-side flanker and David Wallace completing the back row.

Shane Jennings dropped out of coach Declan Kidney's match-day 22.

Ulster wing Andrew Trimble was not included in the line-up despite having recovered from a hand injury.

As expected, flanker Stephen Ferris was ruled out of the game through injury.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney expects a tough challenge from France on Sunday

Ferris is still troubled by a knee injury so joins Tommy Bowe, Shane Horgan, John Hayes, Geordan Murphy and Marcus Horan in missing the game.

Ronan O'Gara had staked his claim for a starting berth by kicking the decisive drop-goal against Italy after coming on as a replacement for Jonathan Sexton, but the Leinster man continues at fly-half.

Gordon D'Arcy remains as Brian O'Driscoll's centre partner despite a poor outing in Rome, while Cian Healy and Mike Ross stay as the props, with Tom Court having to settle for a place on the bench.

Ireland: L Fitzgerald (Leinster), F McFadden (Leinster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, captain), G D'Arcy (Leinster), K Earls (Munster), J Sexton (Leinster), T O'Leary (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster), S O'Brien (Leinster), D Wallace (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster).

Replacements: S Cronin (Connacht), T Court (Ulster), L Cullen (Leinster), D Leamy (Munster), E Reddan (Leinster), R O'Gara (Munster), P Wallace (Ulster).

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