Rugby-Ireland refresh pack, welcome Sexton back for Italy clash

Munster's 21-year-old scrumhalf Craig Casey, an unused substitute against the French, could, however, win his first cap off the bench in Rome. Jordan Larmour (Leinster) 26 caps 13. James Lowe (Leinster) 4 caps 10. Jonathan Sexton (C) (Leinster) 96 caps 9. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster) 8 caps 3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster) 46 caps 4. James Ryan (Leinster) 33 caps 6. Will Connors (Leinster) 7 caps 8.

Ireland refreshed their pack for Saturday's Six Nations trip to Italy and welcomed Johnny Sexton back after the captain missed the loss to leaders France in a disappointing start to the tournament. Ronan Kelleher, who scored one of only two Irish tries in their opening two defeats, starts at hooker alongside fit-again Tadhg Furlong and Munster's David Kilcoyne. Flanker Will Connors gets his first start this year after some impressive cameos.

Sexton and second row James Ryan have recovered from concussion and along with wing Jordan Larmour are the other changes to the side outplayed by France for much of the game as coach Andy Farrell resisted calls to blood some younger players. Munster's 21-year-old scrumhalf Craig Casey, an unused substitute against the French, could, however, win his first cap off the bench in Rome. Leinster lock Ryan Baird is also in line for a debut having made the matchday squad for the first time.

Ireland lost 21-16 to Wales in their opener and 15-13 to France. Ireland

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster) 8 caps 14. Jordan Larmour (Leinster) 26 caps

13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster) 32 caps 12. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster) 49 caps

11. James Lowe (Leinster) 4 caps 10. Jonathan Sexton (C) (Leinster) 96 caps

9. Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster) 7 caps 1. David Kilcoyne (Munster) 40 caps

2. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster) 8 caps 3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster) 46 caps

4. Iain Henderson (Ulster) 60 caps 5. James Ryan (Leinster) 33 caps

6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster) 19 caps 7. Will Connors (Leinster) 7 caps

8. CJ Stander (Munster) 48 caps Replacements

16. Rob Herring (Ulster) 18 caps 17. Cian Healy (Leinster) 106 caps

18. Andrew Porter (Leinster) 34 caps 19. Ryan Baird (Leinster) uncapped

20. Jack Conan (Leinster) 17 caps 21. Craig Casey (Munster) uncapped

22. Billy Burns (Ulster) 5 caps 23. Keith Earls (Munster) 90 caps