Ireland have dropped Sam Prendergast with Jack Crowley set to start at fly-half away to Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday, as Mack Hansen, James Lowe, Garry Ringrose and Tadgh Furlong also return to the squad.
Ireland need a high-scoring victory and other results to go their way in order to claim an historic third-straight title.
Ireland’s Grand Slam dreams were crushed in last weekend’s 42-27 demolition by France and they can only win a third crown in a row if they beat Italy with a bonus point, the French fail to defeat Scotland and they nip ahead of second-placed England.
With that outside chance still in play, interim coach Simon Easterby resisted the temptation to freshen up his front-line players with the only other changes seeing Jack Conan and James Ryan preferred to Joe McCarthy and Peter O’Mahony in the pack.
Crowley was first-choice fly-half in his Six Nations-winning breakthrough season last year but has had to take a back seat in this year’s championship as Ireland handed the No. 10 jersey to 22-year-old Leinster novice Prendergast.
Furlong, who missed the first four games with injury, is fit enough to return to the bench where fellow prop Jack Boyle will look to win his second cap, meaning there is no place for Cian Healy who is retiring at the end of the championship.
Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray, who plan to retire from international rugby alongside Healy, are among the replacements.
Ireland XV to face Italy:
Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (captain), Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Crowley, James Lowe, Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, Mack Hansen, Hugo Keenan.
Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Jack Boyle, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Sam Prendergast, Bundee Aki.
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Italy secure historic win over Ireland
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