Jonny Sexton is back is back in the number 10 jersey as Ireland look to finish off their up-and-down Six Nations campaign in Rome with a victory.
By Declan Whooley
The Leinster out-half has recovered from a hamstring injury sustained against England and takes over from Paddy Jackson as Declan Kidney has reshuffled his match-day squad after the draw last time out with France.
Donnacha Ryan has recovered from a shoulder injury and will start alongside Mike McCarthy in the second row, while Craig Gilroy has been reinstated behind the scrum at the expense of the injured Fergus McFadden.
Paul Marshall is called up to the bench for the stricken Eoin Reddan, who suffered an injury late in last Sturday’s game.
The front row of Cian Healy, Rory Best and Mike Ross will create their own bit of history on Saturday when they pack down for the 21st time as a trio, surpassing the previous record held by Reggie Corrigan, Shane Byrne and John Hayes.
Ireland team v Italy: Kearney, Gilroy, O’Driscoll, Luke Marshall, Earls; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best, Ross; McCarthy, Donnacha Ryan; O’Mahony, O’Brien, Heaslip;
Replacements: Cronin, Kilcoyne, Archer, Toner, Henderson, Paul Marshall, Jackson, Fitzgerald,
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