Ireland refresh pack, welcome Sexton back for Italy…

Ireland refresh pack, welcome Sexton back for Italy clash

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Wales v Ireland - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - February 7, 2021 Ireland's Johnny Sexton REUTERS/Rebecca Naden/File Photo

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.

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Ireland v France - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland - February 14, 2021 Ireland's Ronan Kelleher scores a try Pool via REUTERS/Brian Lawless

"Obviously there are some guys coming back in and some guys that deserve a chance," Farrell told a news conference after naming an all-Leinster backline, with Munster's Conor Murray "still a few days away" from returning from injury .

However, Munster's 21-year-old scrumhalf Craig Casey, an unused substitute against the French, could 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. While Italy lost by far bigger scores in their games against France and England, Farrell warned that the Azzurri were playing pretty well and possessed some really dangerous backs.

"For anyone who knows anything about the game, they're moving in the right direction," Farrell said.

"You look at a couple of scorelines, you can make it out to be something that it's not. Italy tried to show an expansive game against France... And then they certainly improved the week after, I think the English found it tough to break them down."

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