New-look Ireland side to face Italy
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Ireland coach Andy Farrell made six changes to the team that will face Italy in the Six Nations Round three match on Saturday.
James Ryan will captain the team and it will be the seventh occasion that he takes the captain’s armband. He will be partnered in the second row by Iain Henderson, who makes his first start for Ireland since the final game of last year’s Championship against Scotland.
Ronan Kelleher is retained at hooker having come off the bench against France with Andrew Porter and Finlay Bealham either side of him in the front row.
In the back row, Jack Conan comes in at number eight with Caelan Doris switching to the blindside flank and Josh van der Flier at openside.
Craig Casey and Ross Byrne are set to make their first Six Nations starts and Bundee Aki is introduced to the midfield having started from the bench in the opening two rounds.
Garry Ringrose is set to make his 50th appearance for Ireland while the back three of Hugo Keenan, James Lowe and Mack Hansen is unchanged from the opening two rounds.
Dan Sheehan has returned to fitness to take his place among the replacements alongside Dave Kilcoyne, Tom O’Toole, Ryan Baird, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley and Stuart McCloskey.
#TeamAnnouncement: @Federugby to field new-look halfback pair against @IrishRugby #rugby #news @SixNationsRugby https://t.co/xR04KDHeMM
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) February 23, 2023
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Ross Byrne, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Caelan Doris, 5 James Ryan, 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Ryan Baird, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Stuart McCloskey
Date: Saturday, February 25
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Kick-off: 14.15 (13.15 UK and Ireland time; 13.15 GMT)
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Barnes (Ireland) & Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
