Neil Best played for Ireland in the autumn internationals

Wasps Jeremy Staunton is picked at fly-half with Ulster's Paddy Wallace having to be content with a place on the bench for the game in Limoges.

Ulster flanker Roger Wilson joins Wallace on the bench.

Leicester's Shane Jennings and Harlequins Gavin Duffy are named in the starting line-up.

Robert Kearney, Alan Quinlan and Frankie Sheahan were not considered because of injury.

A number of other players who could be in the frame for selection for the remainder of the Six Nations were also not considered for the A side.

These included Shane Byrne, Reggie Corrigan, Girvan Dempsey, Guy Easterby, Anthony Foley, Keith Gleeson, Denis Hickie, Anthony Horgan and John Kelly.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan said he picked the team with the emphasis on developing international players of the future.

The Ireland head coach said: "There was a time when we picked an A team off the back of the national side, the best 44 players.

"Our opinion is there is not a lot to be gained by taking eight or 10 seasoned internationals into an A game against France.

"There's more to be gained from putting younger players in and giving them the opportunity to gain experience."

The Ireland A team will be managed by Connacht coach Michael Bradley.

Ireland A: G Duffy, I Dowling, B Murphy, K Lewis, C McPhillips, J Staunton, T O'Leary, R Hogan, J Fogarty, B Young, M O'Driscoll (capt), M McCullough, N Best, S Jennings, J Heaslip. Replacements: B Blaney, R McCormack, L Cullen, R Wilson, C Keane, P Wallace, J Hearty.