News

Ireland team named for Italy Six Nations test

23rd February 2023

There are six changes to the starting XV from the team that played France in Round 2.

Ulster's club captain Iain Henderson is named in the starting lineup, as he starts in the second row. It's his first start for Ireland since the final game of last year's championship against Scotland.

Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey will hope to make his impact from the bench after his two starts in the opening two fixtures of the tournament. Ulster prop Tom O'Toole is also named on the bench and will hope to continue his from after an impressive appearance in the previous 32-19 win against France.

In Johnny Sexton's absence, lock James Ryan will captain the side.

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.

Ireland team in full:

15\. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) 27 caps 
14\. Mack Hansen (Connacht/Corinthians) 11 caps 
13\. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 49 caps 
12\. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 43 caps 
11\. James Lowe (Leinster) 17 caps 
10\. Ross Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 16 caps 
9\. Craig Casey (Munster/Shannon) 9 caps

1\. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 50 caps 
2\. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne) 19 caps 
3\. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers) 29 caps 
4\. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy) 70 caps 
5\. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 50 caps (c) 
6\. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 25 caps 
7\. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD) 47 caps 
8\. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere) 35

Replacements

16\. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne) 14 caps 
17\. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians) 50 caps 
18\. Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 6 caps 
19\. Ryan Baird (Leinster/Dublin University) 8 caps 
20\. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 91 caps 
21\. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 102 caps 
22\. Jack Crowley (Munster/Cork Constitution) 2 caps 
23\. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor) 11 caps