Three Munster men retain places in Ireland starting XV for Italy clash

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has made four changes for the visit of Conor O’Shea’s Italy this weekend while Jordan Larmour is in line for his International debut as he has been included on the bench.

Keith Earls, Conor Murray, who won his 60th cap last week and Peter O’Mahony retain their place in Ireland’s starting XV, while CJ Stander takes his place amongst the replacements.

Rory Best leads the side and is joined in the front row by Jack McGrath and Tadhg Furlong.

Iain Henderson and Devin Toner line-out in the second row with Peter O’Mahony at blindside, Dan Leavy on the openside and Jack Conan at No.8.

Conor Murray, again partners Johnny Sexton, in the half backs while Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw are paired in the centres.

Rob Kearney is at fullback with Keith Earls and Jacob Stockdale on the wings in an uncahnged backline from Paris.

Here's the Ireland team to play Italy in Round 2 of the #NatWest6Nations at @AVIVAStadium #TeamOfUs #ShoulderToShoulder #IREvITA pic.twitter.com/ndlNatXapM

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 8, 2018

IRELAND Team & Replacements (v Italy, 2018 NatWest 6 Nations Championship, Aviva Stadium, Saturday, February 10, kick-off 2.15pm Irish time):

Player/Club/Province/Caps –

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 79
14. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 63
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 32
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 3
11. Jacob Stockdale (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 5
10. Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) 69
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 60
1. Jack McGrath (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) 43
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) (capt) 106
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 19
4. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 34
5. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 54
6. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 43
7. Dan Leavy (UCD/Leinster) 5
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 5

Replacements:

16. Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) 57
17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 74
18. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 3
19. Quinn Roux (Galwegians/Connacht) 3
20. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 19
21. Kieran Marmion (Galway Corinthians/Connacht) 18
22. Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Leinster) 6
23. Jordan Larmour (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)*

*Denotes uncapped player