Ireland not holding back
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland coach Andy Farrell is not holding back in the build-up to the rescheduled Six Nations match against Italy on Saturday.
He has named a very strong selection to tackle the Azzurri.
Captain Johnny Sexton is joined in the halfbacks by Conor Murray.
Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose are paired in the midfield.
Jacob Stockdale is named at fullback, with Andrew Conway and the uncapped Hugo Keenan on the wings.
Cian Healy, Rob Herring and Andrew Porter make up the front row.
James Ryan and Tadgh Beirne fill the second row berths.
In the back row Caelan Doris is named at blindside, Will Connors makes his debut at openside CJ Stander at No.8.
The replacements are Dave Heffernan, Ed Byrne, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Peter O’Mahony, Jamison Gibson Park, Ross Byrne and Robbie Henshaw.
Ireland: 15 Jacob Stockdale, 14 Andrew Conway, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Hugo Keenan, 10 Johnny Sexton (captain), 9 Conor Murray, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Will Connors, 6 Caelan Doris, 5 James Ryan, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Andrew Porter, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 Ed Byrne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Jamison Gibson Park, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Robbie Henshaw.
Date: Saturday, October 24
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 15.30 (16.30 Italian time; 14.30 GMT)
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (England), Mike Adamson (Scotland)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)
