Paddy Jackson, as expected, passed a fitness test on Thursday morning and will earn his second cap when Ireland take on France in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Ulster youngster had suffered a tightness in his hamstring during training on Monday when he returned from the Ireland camp fresh from kicking 19 points for Ulster in the PRO12 draw with Treviso.
The spotlight had been thrust on the 21-year-old after he was a surprise starting selection for the Six Nations match away to Scotland. Missing three from four kicks added to the harsh criticism, but the Irish management have kept their faith in him.
Uncapped Leinster outhalf, Ian Madigan will provide cover from a bench which includes another uncapped player, Munster prop, Stephen Archer, who fills in for Ulster’s injured Declan Fitzpatrick at tighthead cover.
While Jackson came through his first cap in the 12-8 loss to Scotland two weeks ago, he passed the Test, but his three misses from four place kicks became the focus for the critics.
Combined with his output in training over the last two days, that has been enough to win the vote of coach Declan Kidney with wing Fergus McFadden ready to take over should he misfire once again.
“Fergus is an option and that’s why he went to the Aviva yesterday to practice. He’s been very successful as a place kicker with Leinster,” team manager Mick Kearney said.
“But Paddy is first choice and we have every confidence that he will perform in all facets of his game, including place kicking.
“If Ian comes on then we have full confidence in him as well. If Ian comes on he’ll be place kicking as well.”
Jackson was viewed as a minor doubt for tomorrow’s showdown between the two biggest flops of this year’s Six Nations due to his hamstring complaint, but the injury has recovered quickly.
His availability means that Ireland enter a match they must win to avoid a wooden spoon decider against Italy with two fly-halves who have one cap between them.
“Paddy kicked in the Aviva Stadium yesterday and kicked well and trained fully this morning,” Kearney said.
“Paddy’s hamstring first tightened up after Monday’s session so there was a bit of concern about him.
“He sat out the session on Tuesday, received treatment and did some light running in the afternoon. He also did some kicking practise at the Aviva and came through it well,” he added.
IRELAND: Kearney (Leinster); F McFadden (Leinster), B O’Driscoll (Leinster), L Marshall (Ulster), K Earls (Munster); P Jackson (Ulster), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster), M McCarthy (Connacht), D Ryan (Munster), P O’Mahony (Munster), S O’Brien (Leinster), J Heaslip (Leinster, capt).
Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster), D Kilcoyne (Munster), S Archer (Munster), D O’Callaghan (Munster), I Henderson (Ulster), E Reddan (Leinster), I Madigan (Leinster), L Fitzgerald (Leinster).
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