IRELAND'S TEAM TO FACE ITALY in the third round of the 2023 Six Nations has been released.
Andy Farrell has selected a formidable team face Italy at Stadio Olimpico in Rome this Saturday.
Six changes have been made to the team that beat France in the previous round.
James Ryan captains the side from the second row.
Johnny Sexton has not been risked and his replacement is Ross Byrne, who starts at out half. Craig Casey starts at scrum half.
Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, and James Lowe start the game in a back three.
Bundee Aki replaces Stuart McCloskey in the centre and Gary Ringrose also joins him in midfield.
Farrell has selected a strong front row that contains Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, and Finlay Bealham.
Ian Henderson replaces the injured Tadhg Bierne in the second row.
The side is completed by Jack Conan at number eight with Caelan Doris switching to the blindside flank and Josh van der Flier at openside.
Kick-off 2.15pm and be seen live on RTE TWO
Ireland team
Fullback: 15. Hugo Keenan
Winger: 14. Mack Hansen
Centres 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Bundee Aki
Winger: 11. James Lowe
Out half: 10. Ross Byrne , Scrumhalf: 9. Craig Casey
Front Row: 1. Andrew Porter , 2. Ronan Kelleher, 3. Finlay Bealham
Second Row: 4. Iain Henderson, 5. James Ryan (C)
Backrow: 6. Caelan Doris, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Jack Conan
Replacements 16. Dan Sheehan, 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Tom O’Toole , 19. Ryan Baird, 20. Peter O’Mahony, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Jack Crowley, 23. Stuart McCloskey
Our line up for Rome! 💪#TeamOfUs | #GuinnessSixNations
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 23, 2023
For Italy, Paolo Garbisi, the Italian halfback is one of three changes made by Italian head coach Kieran Crowley.
Due to a knee injury, Garbisi missed the first two rounds of the competition. He replaces Tommaso Allan for his first start.
The 22-year-old joins Stephen Varney in the half-backs.
Pierre Bruno starts on left wing, while Edoardo Padovani, starts on the other side. Italian star Ange Capuozzo starts at fullback.
Juan Ignacio Brex and start midfield alongside Tommaso Menoncello.
Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, and Simone Ferrari start in the front row.
Niccolò Cannone and Federico Ruzza get the nod in the engine room.
Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro, and Lorenzo Cannone complete the side from the backrow
"Every match has a different story," said head coach Crowley,
"We will face Ireland aware of what we did against France and England with the aim of improving in some areas that will make us more competitive.
"It will be a tough game against the number one team in the world and we too can't wait to face them."
Italy
Italy: Fullback: 15. Ange Capuozzo;
Winger: 14. Edoardo Padovani,
Centres 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Tommaso Menoncello,
Winger: 11. Pierre Bruno;
Out half: 10 Paolo Garbisi, Scrumhalf: 9. Stephen Varney;
Front Row: 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Giacomo Nicotera, 3. Simone Ferrari;
Second Row: 4. Niccolò Cannone, 5. Federico
Backrow: 6 Sebastian Negri, 7. Michele Lamaro, 8. Lorenzo Cannone.
Replacements: 16. Luca Bigi, 17. Federico Zani, 18. Marco Riccioni,19. Edoardo Iachizzi, 20. Giovanni Pettinelli, 21. Alessandro Fusco, 22. Luca Morisi, 23. Tommaso Allan.
🔵 #Italrugby
Il Capo Allenatore Kieran #Crowley ha annunciato la formazione del 3° match del Guinness Six Nations 2023 ➡ https://t.co/aCUUQhnjtn
🇮🇹☘ #ITAvIRE
📍 Stadio Olimpico, Roma
🏉 Sabato 25/2, kick off ore 15.15
🎟 @TicketOne
📺 @SkySport 1 ▪ @NOW▪ @TV8it pic.twitter.com/XNs30DaMrD— Italrugby (@Federugby) February 23, 2023
