Brian O'Driscoll is troubled by a hamstring injury

O'Driscoll has a hamstring injury and his chances of lining up in Paris on 14 February are thought to be slim.

Coach Eddie O'Sullivan has named five vice-captains: Reggie Corrigan, Anthony Foley, David Humphreys, Paul O'Connell and Ronan O'Gara.

If O'Driscoll is ruled out, one of the quintet will take the captaincy.

O'Driscoll takes the captaincy from Keith Wood who retired after the World Cup although the Leinster centre has previous skippered Eddie O'Sullivan's side.

The initial squad of 34 for the French game contains few surprises.

With Geordan Murphy and Denis Hickie unavailable because of injury, Gordon D'Arcy and Harlequins back Gavin Duffy are included in the panel.

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Connacht hooker Bernard Jackman is also drafted into the squad but there is no place for Ulster pair Paddy Wallace and Paul Shiels.

Humphreys is joined in the panel by his Ulster team-mates Simon Best, Gary Longwell, Neil Doak and Tyrone Howe.

In addition to O'Driscoll, there are also fitness doubts over Simon Easterby, Marcus Horan and Eric Miller but all three are named in the squad.

In-form Munster centre Mike Mullins is included in the panel which will be reduced to 22 next week ahead of the 14 February Paris game.

The squad of 34 will take part in a training camp in Dublin next week.

Ireland squad