Andy Farrell has made seven changes to his Ireland side for the trip to Rome on Saturday.
Ronan Kelleher makes his first Six Nations start in the Olimpico Stadium clash with Italy, Dave Kilcoyne only his second in his 41st Test appearance while to complete an all-changed front row, Tadhg Furlong returns for his first competition start since the England defeat exactly a year ago.
Skipper Johnny Sexton and pack leader James Ryan return after missing the last game against France, but Conor Murray hasn't regained full fitness and is still rehabbing his hamstring injury, while Peter O'Mahony is still suspended after his sending off against Wales.
Uncapped duo Craig Casey and Ryan Baird will be hoping to make their Ireland debuts off the bench, although Murray's deputy at scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park played the full 80 against France and Casey remained benched.
Sexton returns as skipper after missing the France game with the head injury he suffered against Wales in the championship opener, with Billy Burns getting the nod as out-half cover.
The 15-13 defeat to France made it two losses from two for Ireland at the start of this championship, the first time that has happened since Italy joined to make it the Six Nations.
Like pack leader Ryan, the out-half failed to complete his return to play protocols ahead of the encounter with Les Bleus.
Sexton apart, the other change to the backline sees Jordan Larmour get the nod over Keith Earls, who started the first two games and had improved against France from the Wales game.
In-form Robbie Henshaw, who retains his centre partnership with Garry Ringrose, earns his 50th Ireland cap in what is an all-Leinster backline.
There are five changes in the pack.
Hooker Kelleher, 23, has made five appearances off the bench between this season and last, making a try-scoring impact off the bench in the last game against France almost a fortnight ago.
Ryan returns to the second row as partner to Iain Henderson, who captained the team against the French, so as expected Tadhg Beirne switches to the back row.
Interestingly, Beirne will start at openside in place of Josh van der Flier rather than at blindside, with Will Connors coming in for Leinster colleague Rhys Ruddock and wearing the no 6 shirt. CJ Stander remains at no 8.
Ireland: Keenan, Larmour, Ringrose, Henshaw, Sexton, Gibson-Park, Lowe; Kilcoyne, Kelleher, Furlong, Henderson, Connors, Beirne, Stander.
Replacements: Herring, Healy, Porter, Baird, Conan, Casey, Burns, Earls.
