Six changes for Ireland, including a switch at number ten
Ireland’s interim head coach Simon Easterby has named his squad for Saturday’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations Round 5 clash against Italy in Rome (Kick-off 2.15 pm).
There are six changes to the side that lost to France at the Aviva last weekend, most notably Munster outhalf Jack Crowley replacing Sam Prendergast.
Munster duo Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray are featured on the bench and are set to make their final appearance in the green jersey on Saturday.
Ireland are back at full strength in the back three – Hugo Keenan is at full-back, with James Lowe and Mack Hansen returning on the wing. Robbie Henshaw partners Garry Ringrose in midfield, while Crowley comes into the team at out-half alongside Jamison Gibson-Park at scrum-half.
In the pack, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Finlay Bealham return to start, with James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne named in the second row. Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, and captain Caelan Doris complete the Ireland XV in the back row.
Tadhg Furlong is set to make his first appearance of the Championship off the bench, joining forwards Gus McCarthy, Jack Boyle, Joe McCarthy and O’Mahony. Murray, Sam Prendergast and Bundee Aki will provide the backline replacements for Ireland.
Ireland fans will be expecting a bonus point in Rome, their opponents have suffered back-to-back bonus point defeats since their famous round two win over Wales, shipping 73 and 47 to France and England along the way.
Even with the prospect of a bonus point win, Ireland will still need their two title rivals, France and England, to lose on Saturday if they are to lift their third Six Nations title in a row.
Saturday’s match is live on RTÉ 2, while there is live radio commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
Teams
Ireland: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (c), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Jack Conan, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 James Ryan, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Jack Boyle, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Joe McCarthy, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Sam Prendergast, 23 Bundee Aki
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)