Ireland suffer Lowe blow prior to French Six Nations match

Ireland's dynamic wing James Lowe withdrew just prior to their crunch Six Nations match with France at Lansdowne Road on Saturday dealing a big blow to the hosts.

Lowe looked in agony as he was treated during the pre-match warm-up for a back spasm and trudged disconsolately down the tunnel.

He will be replaced by Calvin Nash in the starting XV.

Lowe's withdrawal means the Irish start without their two first choice wings, Mack Hansen having been ruled out with a thigh problem.

The Irish already faced a huge challenge in keeping alive their hopes of an unprecedented third successive Six Nations title.

The French too have aspirations for winning the championship and are the last team to have won a Six Nations match in Dublin, in 2021.

REVISED TEAMS (15-1)

IRELAND

Hugo Keenan; Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Jamie Osborne; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Caelan Doris (capt), Josh van der Flier, Peter O'Mahony; Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy; Finlay Bealham, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter

REPLACEMENTS: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Ryan Baird, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley

COACH: Simon Easterby (IRL)

FRANCE

Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (capt); Gregory Alldritt, Paul Boudehent, Francois Cros; Mickael Guillard, Thibaud Flament; Uini Atonio, Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros

REPLACEMENTS: Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille, Dorian Aldegheri, Emmanuel Meafou, Hugo Auradou, Oscar Jegou, Anthony Jelonch, Maxime Lucu

COACH: Fabien Galthie (FRA)

REFEREE: Angus Gardner (AUS)