The Ireland coaching staff has named the team that will line out in its opening fixture of the 2015 RBS 6 Nations Championship.
Ulster's Jared Payne has been named at outside centre in his first Six Nations game, while Rory Best and Tommy Bowe are also included in the starting XV. Versatile back-row, Iain Henderson is named as a replacement.
Paul O'Connell will captain the side on his 97th cap for his country and is partnered in the second row by Devin Toner. The front-row is made up of Jack McGrath, Best and Mike Ross.
The back-row consists of Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien and Jordi Murphy with Conor Murray and Ian Keatley filling the half-back slots. Robbie Henshaw will line out at inside-centre alongside Payne who will fill the No.13 jersey.
The back three sees Rob Kearney flanked by Bowe and Simon Zebo.
Among the replacements are Sean Cronin, James Cronin, Martin Moore, Henderson, Tommy O'Donnell, Isaac Boss, Ian Madigan and Felix Jones.
Ireland team and replacements to face Italy, Saturday 7th February, kick off 15.30 (14.30 Irish time), Stadio Olimpico, Rome.
15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14. Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
13. Jared Payne (Ulster)
12. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
11. Simon Zebo (Cork Con/Munster)
10. Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster)
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
8. Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
7. Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster)
6. Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5. Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster) captain
4. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
1. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
17. James Cronin (Dolphin/Munster)
18. Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)
19. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
20. Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
21. Isaac Boss (Terenure/Leinster)
22. Ian Madigan (Blackrock/Leinster)
23. Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster)