Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has named Munster’s Edwin Edogbo in his squad to face Italy in the Aviva Stadium this Saturday.
After previously pulling out of October’s Autumn Internationals squad due to injury, the 23-year-old will be given the opportunity to make his senior debut once again.
After a bruising opening round loss to last year’s Six Nations champions France, questions have been raised over selection as well as overall performance.
In the pre-match press conference, Farrell explained Edogbo “has shown real quality in his performances for Munster and in training with us over recent times.”
Farrell has made six changes to his starting line-up, which includes five Munster players and two Six Nations debutantes.
Ulster’s Cormac Izuchukwu will make his first start at blindside flanker alongside captain Caelen Doris and Jack Conan. Izuchukwu’s clubmate Robert Baloucoune will also earn his first cap, partnering James Lowe on the wing.
The front row remains unchanged in Loughman, Sheehan and Clarkson, with McCarthy and Ryan in the second row.
Sam Prendergast retains the outhalf jersey ahead of Jack Crowley and is partnered with Craig Casey at scrumhalf.
Osborne continues at full back in the absence of Hugo Keenan, and McCloskey and Ringrose are retained in the midfield.
And in positive injury news, Tadhg Furlong returns to the matchday squad and is among the replacements.
The Italians come to Dublin off the back of a hard-fought victory over Scotland in Rome and will be looking to continue their run of form.
Ireland will hope to silence their critics and put in a dominant performance against the Italians to get their tournament back on track. The game kicks off at 2.10 and will be shown live on Virgin Media One.
The Irish team is as follows:
Backs: Osborne, Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe, Prendergast, Casey
Forwards: Loughman, Sheehan, Clarkson, McCarthy, Ryan, Izuchukwu, Doris (captain) Conan
Replacements: Kelleher, O’Toole, Furlong, Edogbo, Beirne, Timoney, Gibson-Park, Crowley
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