Will Connors and Hugo Keenan have been handed Ireland debuts as coach Andy Farrell on Wednesday included them in the starting line-up for Saturday’s Six Nations clash against Italy at the Aviva Stadium.
Two other uncapped players – hooker Ed Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park -- were named among the replacements in a much-changed Ireland line-up from the one that lost to England in February before play was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
With Jordan Larmour out due to a dislocated shoulder, Jacob Stockdale switches to fullback and Keenan gets a start on the left wing while his Leinster team mate Connors packs down on the side of the scrum.
The 28-year-old former Maori All Black Gibson-Park is likely to come on as a replacement scrumhalf although the established half back pair of captain Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray remains in place. Gibson-Park has qualified to play for Ireland through residency.
Regular starters Tadhg Furlong and Iain Henderson were ruled out through injury and suspension, which means Andrew Porter starts at tight-head prop with Cian Healy on the other side.
Ireland still have a chance to win the Six Nations and follow Saturday’s meeting with Italy with their final match of this year’s delayed competition against France in Paris on Oct. 31.
Team:
15-Jacob Stockdale, 14-Andrew Conway, 13-Garry Ringrose, 12-Bundee Aki, 11-Hugo Keenan, 10-Jonathan Sexton (capt), 9-Conor Murray, 8-CJ Stander, 7-Will Connors, 6-Caelan Doris, 5-James Ryan, 4-Tadhg Beirne, 3-Andrew Porter, 2-Rob Herring, 1-Cian Healy
Replacements: 16-Dave Heffernan, 17-Ed Byrne, 18-Finlay Bealham, 19-Ultan Dillane, 20-Peter O'Mahony, 21-Jamison Gibson-Park, 22-Ross Byrne, 23-Robbie Henshaw
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Alex Richardson and Christian Radnedge)
