Expected Ireland team to face Italy

According to various Irish media news outlets, Joe Schmidt is expected to make a number of changes to the matchday squad to face Conor O' Shea's charges this weekend.

Most notably, Jack Conan will start his first Six Nations game in the No. 8 shirt while CJ Stander drops to the bench to provide the back-row cover.

Dan Leavy replaces the injured Josh van der Flier as the Ireland selectors only make three adjustments to the starting XV that faced France last weekend in Paris.

Jordan Larmour is in line to make his Ireland debut as the uncapped 20-year-old Leinster starlet is set to be included in his first match-day squad.

Ireland team to face Italy (2:15pm, Saturday, Aviva Stadium)

1. Jack McGrath

2. Rory Best

3. Tadhg Furlong

4. Devin Toner

5. Iain Henderson

6. Peter O' Mahony

7. Dan Leavy

8. Jack Conan

9. Conor Murray

10. Jonathan Sexton

11. Jacob Stockdale

12. Bundee Aki

13. Robbie Henshaw

14. Keith Earls

15. Rob Kearney

Replacements:

16. Sean Cronin 

17. Cian Healy

18. Andrew Porter

19. Ultan Dillane

20. CJ Stander 

21. Kieran Marmion

22. Joey Carbery

23. Jordan Larmour