Schmidt brings in Kearney and Toner
Following a gritty 16-9 win over Italy, having easily beaten Canada [50-5] and Romania [44-10], Ireland face a must-win game against the similarly unbeaten French. The pool winners are likely to avoid New zealand in the quarterfinals and get an easier task against Argentina.
Schmidt replaced standout lock Iain Henderson with Devin Toner, while Rob Kearney comes in for Simon Zebo at fullback and Cian Healy takes over from Jack McGrath at loosehead prop.
Connor Murray and Jonny Sexton continue at scrumhalf and flyhalf respectively, with Robbie Henshaw and Keith Earls continuing their midfield partnership, Tommy Bowe and Dave Kearney lining up on the two wings.
Paul O'Connell will skipper the team from lock, packing down behind Healy, veteran hooker Rory Best and tighthead Mike Ross.
A strong back row sees Jamie Heaslip at No.8 between Sean O'Brien and Peter O'Mahoney.
South African-born hooker Richardt Strauss comes in to the replacements' bench as front-row cover alongside McGrath and Nathan White, with Henderson and Chris Henry providing further forward cover. Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan and Luke Fitzgerald complete the bench.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Jonny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Paul O'Connell (captain), 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Nathan White,19 Iain Henderson, 20 Chris Henry, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Luke Fitzgerald.
Date: Sunday, October 11
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 16.45 (15.45 GMT; 17.45 French time)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Leighton Hodges (Wales)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
Agence France-Presse
