Andy Farrell has made seven changes to the Ireland side for Saturday’s Six Nations game with Italy in Rome.
Johnny Sexton returns to captain the side and partners Jamison Gibson Park in the halfbacks. This weekend has come too soon for Conor Murray who is continuing his hamstring rehab.
Robbie Henshaw earns his 50th cap for Ireland and will again partner Garry Ringrose in the midfield.
Hugo Keenan retains the No.15 jersey with James Lowe on the left wing and Jordan Larmour coming in on the right hand side.
A new front row combination of Dave Kilcoyne, Ronan Kelleher and Tadgh Furlong is set to start.
James Ryan returns to the second row to be partnered by Iain Henderson.Tadgh Beirne shifts to the backrow filling the blindside role with Will Connors at openside and CJ Stander at No.8.
The replacements for the weekend are Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Andrew Porter, Jack Conan, Billy Burns, Keith Earls and the uncapped duo Ryan Baird and Craig Casey
Ireland
- Hugo Keenan 8 caps
- Jordan Larmour 26 caps
- Garry Ringrose 32 caps
- Robbie Henshaw 49 caps
- James Lowe 4 caps
- Jonathan Sexton 96 caps (C)
- Jamison Gibson Park 7 caps
- Dave Kilcoyne 40 caps
- Ronan Kelleher 8 caps
- Tadhg Furlong 46 caps
- Iain Henderson 60 caps
- James Ryan 33 caps
- Tadhg Beirne 19 caps
- Will Connors 7 caps
- CJ Stander 48 caps
Replacements
- Rob Herring 18 caps
- Cian Healy 106 caps
- Andrew Porter 34 caps
- Ryan Baird uncapped
- Jack Conan 17 caps
- Craig Casey uncapped
- Billy Burns 5 caps
- Keith Earls 90 caps
Ireland v Italy
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Kick-off 2:15 (Irish time)
