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Johnny Sexton and James Ryan start for Ireland against Italy in Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash at the Stadio Olimpico, while Craig Casey and Ryan Baird are on the bench.
Andy Farrell makes seven changes to the winger who defeated France in Dublin. Conor Murray remains out with a hamstring problem.
Farrell has opted for a new front row combination of Dave Kilcoyne, Ronan Kelleher and Tadgh Furlong, who will begin his first Test Match in over a year. Ryan returns to the second row to join Iain Henderson.
Tadgh Beirne moves into the back row filling the blindside role with Will Connors on the open side and CJ Stander at number 8.
Sexton returns as team captain and joins his Leinster teammate Jamison Gibson Park in the media.
Robbie Henshaw, who wins his 50th international game, will once again line up with Garry Ringrose in midfield.
Hugo Keenan retains the number 15 jersey with James Lowe on the left wing and Jordan Larmour entering the right side in place of Keith Earls.
Farrell’s front row shakeup brings Rob Herring, Cian Healy and Andrew Porter to the bank.
Middleweight Billy Burns, who replaced Sexton two weeks ago against the French, is back among the replacements, while the front row shakeup also sees Rob Herring, Cian Healy and Andrew Porter fall to the bench.
Ireland are off to their worst start to a Six Nations campaign and will be looking to bounce back from losses to Wales and France.
Italy, who last beat Ireland in March 2013, will try to avoid a 30th consecutive defeat of the Six Nations.
Ireland: Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Jonathan Sexton (captain), Jamison Gibson Park; Dave Kilcoyne, Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Will Connors, CJ Stander
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Andrew Porter, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Billy Burns, Keith Earls
Follow Italy v Ireland (start at 2.15pm, Saturday 27th February) via our live blog on RTE.ie and the RTÉ News app or listen live on RTÉ Radio 1’s Saturday Sport. Featured in Against the Head on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
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