Eddie O’Sullivan has announced the Ireland team for the trip to Italy for their opening Six Nations clash on Sunday.


The team sees two changes from the side that started against Argentina in the final Autumn International. Girvan Dempsey will be on the bench, as he makes way for Gordon D’Arcy’s return to the team. Geordan Murphy moves to full-back to fill the place in Dempsey’s absense. In the forwards Munster’s Denis Leamy will start at openside in place of Johnny O’Connor.

Ireland (v Italy): G Murphy (Leicester), S Horgan (Leinster), B O’Driscoll (Leinster, capt), G D’Arcy (Leinster), D Hickie (Leinster), R O’Gara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster), R Corrigan (Leinster), S Byrne (Leinster), J Hayes (Munster), M O’Kelly (Leinster), P O’Connell (Munster), S Easterby (Llanelli), D Leamy (Munster), A Foley (Munster).

Replacements: F Sheahan (Munster), M Horan (Munster), D O’Callaghan (Munster), E Miller (Leinster), G Easterby (Leinster), D Humphreys (Ulster), G Dempsey (Leinster).

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