Ireland’s team to face Italy is not what anyone expected

Sweeping changes in the back row and a start in the No.10 jersey for Ian Keatley

Joe Schmidt has named a radically altered back row in his starting line-up to face Italy this weekend. Jamie Heaslip is deemed unfit after a recent knee knock so Jordi Murphy, his Leinster teammate, comes in at No.8. Murphy was expected to start at openside but that responsibility now falls to Sean O’Brien.

Munster’s Ian Keatley has won the battle with Ian Madigan to start at out-half, alongside fit again scrum-half Conor Murray.

The back three includes fullback Rob Kearney and wingers Tommy Bowe and Simon Zebo. All three impressed during November’s Guinness Series and will be charged with providing the attacking impetus from the back-field. Jared Payne [outside centre] and Robbie Henshaw [inside] are reunited after their sole game together in the Irish midfield, against South Africa, last November.

Up front, Schmidt has kept faith with tight-head Mike Ross, despite his recent dropping by Leinster for their Champions Cup games with Castres and Wasps. Jack McGrath starts at loose-head with Ulster captain, and hooker, Rory Best completing the set.

As expected, Devin Toner partners captain Paul O’Connell in the second row. O’Brien, perhaps a week ahead of schedule, gets the nod at openside flanker due to the absence of Chris Henry and Rhys Ruddock. Peter O’Mahony is blindside and the only remaining part of the back row that started November’s wins over South Africa and Australia.

Heaslip has not recovered from a knee injury, despite positive soundings from Ireland camp all week, so Jordi Murphy will start at No.8.

Replacements: Sean Cronin, James Cronin, Marty Moore, Iain Henderson, Tommy O’Donnell, Isaac Boss, Ian Madigan, Felix Jones.

Ireland take on Italy at Stadio Olimpico, Rome, from 2:30pm on Saturday. Although Schmidt’s men comfortably defeated the Azzurri in Dublin, last March, Jacques Brunel’s men were victorious the last time the side’s men in Rome. It was the final Test match of Declan Kidney’s five-year coaching reign with Ireland.

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