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Ferris missed the 29-11 victory over Italy last weekend because of a knee injury sustained on Heineken Cup duty for Ulster against Bath last month.

But the powerful 24-year-old successfully came through training on Thursday and will take his place in Ireland's back row.

Ferris was named in the starting line-up despite doubts over whether he would be ready to face France.

His inclusion settles the only outstanding selection issue in the starting XV, enabling head coach Declan Kidney to finalise his bench.

Kevin McLaughlin drops out of the squad altogether after deputising with some success on his Test debut against Italy in last weekend's tournament opener.

Once again Sean O'Brien of Leinster is picked to supply back row cover on the bench, leaving no room for McLaughlin.

Any lingering doubts over Jonathan Sexton's fitness have been ended with his presence among the substitutes.

Sexton sat out the Azzurri match because of a dead leg but is available to provide fly-half cover for Ronan O'Gara at the Stade de France.

The versatile Paddy Wallace fills the last remaining spot on the bench with hamstring-strain victim Andrew Trimble failing to make the 22.

Ireland Team: Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (Capt.), Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster), Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster), Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster), John Hayes (Bruff/Munster), Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster), Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster), Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster), David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster), Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements: Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), Tom Court (Malone/Ulster), Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster), Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster), Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)

© Press Association