Ireland call up uncapped O'Donoghue
Sean O'Brien has been sidelined with hamstring trouble, former Ireland Under-20 star O'Donoghue adding depth to Ireland's loose forward stocks, with Jordi Murphy and Tommy O'Donnell also in the 35-man training squad.
CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier, Jamie Heaslip and Rhys Ruddock were the four back row forwards selected for the match squad in Ireland's 10-21 defeat to England at Twickenham on February 27.
That quartet will feature strongly across Ireland's final two fixtures, with Schmidt's men still seeking their first victory in this year's tournament.
Ireland have targeted two wins from their final two matches to claw back some pride and avoid slipping from two-time reigning champions to also-rans.
Despite the pressing need for victories, coach Joe Schmidt may yet decide to mix up selection with one eye on long-term development, hence O'Donoghue's addition to the squad.
Connacht prop Finlay Bealham is the only other uncapped member of Ireland's squad ahead of Saturday's clash with Italy in Dublin.
Ireland squad:
Forwards: Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht), Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster – captain), Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht), David Foley (UL Bohemians/Munster), Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster), Jack McGrath (St Mary's College/Leinster), Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster), Jack O'Donoghue (UL Bohemians/Munster), Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster), Rhys Ruddock (St Mary's College/Leinster), Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster), CJ Stander (Munster), Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster), Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster), Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster), Nathan White (Connacht).
Backs: Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht), Patrick Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster), Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht), Luke Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster), Stuart McCloskey (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Jared Payne (Ulster), Eoin Reddan (Old Crescent/Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster).
