Ireland make seven changes for Italy

The Ireland coaching group have made seven changes to the side that started against France in round 2 of the 2021 Guinness Six Nations Championship and will fly to Rome today to finalise preparations for the game against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday afternoon. Ulster's Iain Henderson is selected to start in the second row, with Rob Herring and Billy Burns named on the bench. Johnny Sexton returns to captain the side and partners Jamison Gibson Park in the halfbacks. This weekend has come too soon for Conor Murray who is continuing his hamstring rehab. Robbie Henshaw, who earns his 50th cap for Ireland, will again partner Garry Ringrose in the midfield. Hugo Keenan retains the No.15 jersey with James Lowe on the left wing and Jordan Larmour coming in on the right hand side. A new front row combination of Dave Kilcoyne, Ronan Kelleher and Tadgh Furlong is set to start. James Ryan returns to the second row to be partnered by Iain Henderson. Tadgh Beirne shifts to the backrow filling the blindside role with Will Connors at openside and CJ Stander at No.8. As well as Herring and Burns, the replacements for the weekend are Cian Healy, Andrew Porter, Jack Conan, Keith Earls and the uncapped duo of Baird and Casey. Ireland team to play Italy – Saturday 27th February, 2021, 14:15 kick-off GMT 15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 8 caps 14. Jordan Larmour (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 26 caps 13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 32 caps 12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 49 caps 11. James Lowe (Leinster) 4 caps 10. Jonathan Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 96 caps CAPTAIN 9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 7 caps 1. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 40 caps 2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 8 caps 3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf) 46 caps 4. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 60 caps 5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 33 caps 6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 19 caps 7. Will Connors (Leinster/UCD) 7 caps 8. CJ Stander (Munster/Shannon) 48 caps Replacements 16. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 18 caps 17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 106 caps 18. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 34 caps 19. Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) uncapped 20. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 17 caps 21. Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) uncapped 22. Billy Burns (Ulster) 5 caps 23. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster) 90 caps