Ireland have made 2 changes, with fit-again Jared Payne starting at centre and Simon Zebo deputising for injured full-back Rob Kearney.
Stuart McCloskey, who made his Test debut against England a fortnight ago, drops out of the squad altogether.
Hooker Rory Best will captain the side on his 50th championship appearance.
Flyhalf Edoardo Padovani makes his 1st start as 1 of 4 changes for Italy, along with Guglielmo Palazzani, David Giazzon and George Biagi.
TEAMS:
Ireland: Zebo, Trimble, Payne, Henshaw, Earls, Sexton, Murray, McGrath, Best (Captain), Ross, Ryan, Toner, Stander, Van der Flier, Heaslip
Replacements: Cronin, Healy, White, Dillane, Ruddock, Marmion, Madigan, McFadden.
Italy: Odiete, Sarto, Campagnaro, Garcia, Bellini, Padovani, Palazzani, Lovotti, Giazzon, Cittadini, Biagi, Fuser, Minto, Zanni, Parisse
Replacements: Fabiani, Zanusso, Chistolini, Geldenhuys, Steyn, Lucchese, Haimona, McLean.
COMMENTATOR’S NOTES:
BBC Sport’s Andrew Cotter: “What might have been for Ireland – a draw against Wales and a single-point defeat against France.
“It could have been home games against Italy and Scotland to challenge for the championship – instead they are to salvage pride and look to the future.
“They will beat Italy – the Azzurri had their scrum pushed around the park by Scotland and they come without the talents of flyhalf Carlo Canna, scrumhalf Edoardo Gori and hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini.
“Yes, Ireland have lost Rob Kearney, but Jared Payne returns in the centre and the young back-rowers of Stander and Van der Flier already look impressive.
“Expect Ireland to cut loose in the 2nd half.”
VIEW FROM BOTH CAMPS:
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt dismissed suggestions his selection policy is conservative: “I think we really experimented in the last game.
“To put 2 guys (Stuart McCloskey and Josh van der Flier) into their Test match debuts at Twickenham away against a very settled and strong English side, and to have another make his debut off the bench, I don’t think that’s something that’s overly conservative
“It’s giving opportunity and at the same time you’re always looking for balance. I’ve been coaching professionally now for 15 years and I’ve seen a lot of young players really hampered by being thrust into an environment they are not ready for.”
Italy head coach Jacques Brunel: “It will be a complex match. Like us, Ireland are still searching for their 1st win in this 6 Nations and, like us, have numerous players out.”
Italy lock Quintin Geldenhuys: “Ireland are under pressure, a situation they are not really used to. We must further increase this pressure once we’re on the field.
“We have the chance now to produce a great match and impose our own game on Ireland.”
MATCH FACTS:
Head-to-head
- Italy’s only win in the last 21 meetings was by 22 / 15 in Rome in the 2013 6 Nations.
- Ireland have won 12 of their 13 home Tests against Italy, including 11 in a row since a 37 / 29 defeat at Lansdowne Road in January 1997.
Ireland
- Ireland are winless in 4 Test matches. They have not endured a 5-match streak without a victory since 2012.
- They could go 3 successive home games without a win for the 1st time in more than 4 years.
Italy
- Italy have lost 10 of the 12 matches they have played in the last 12 months, with their only wins coming in the World Cup pool stage against Canada and Romania.
- Their only 6 Nations win in 13 attempts since beating Ireland in 2013 came against Scotland in Edinburgh last year.
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Romain Poite (France) & Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
bbc