CRAIG Casey (Shannon) and Young Munster’s Calvin Nash have both been named in the Ireland team for the Six Nations Championship tie with Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, 3pm.
Coach Andy Farrell has selected an unchanged back three for the Round 2 clash as Hugo Keenan starts at full-back, while Nash and James Lowe continue on the wings.
Robbie Henshaw is retained at outside centre, with Stuart McCloskey coming into the Ireland midfield at inside centre.
Having made his first Guinness Six Nations start last weekend in Marseille, Jack Crowley remains at out-half and is partnered by his Munster team-mate Casey in the half-backs.
In the pack, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Finlay Bealham make up the front row, with James Ryan coming into the starting XV to partner Joe McCarthy – Player of the Match against France – in the second row.
Ryan Baird is named at blindside flanker, captain Caelan Doris shifts to openside and Jack Conan completes the starting team at number eight.
Jeremy Loughman of Garryowen is among the replacements.
Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Ryan Baird, Caelan Doris (captain), Jack Conan.
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Harry Byrne, Jordan Larmour.
