Ireland: Michael Lowry and Dan Sheehan to start Six Nations clash with Italy

Ireland have handed a first cap to Ulster full-back Michael Lowry as they prepare for their Six Nations clash with Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

The uncapped Lowry gets the nod and is joined in the backfield by Mack Hansen, who switches to the right wing, with James Lowe restored on the left.

Joey Carbery is set to start his second consecutive Six Nations game while Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has recovered from injury to make the bench.

Carbery will again be partnered in the halves by Jamison Gibson-Park with Robbie Henshaw coming in at inside centre and Garry Ringrose kept at 13.

Dan Sheehan gets the nod at hooker

Up front, Dan Sheehan is set to make his first start for Ireland and will be supported in the front-row by Tadhg Furlong and Andrew Porter. In the second-row, Tadhg Beirne is joined by Ryan Baird as James Ryan is ruled out with an adductor issue.

In the back-row Peter O’Mahony comes in at blindside to lead the side with Caelan Doris shifting to eight and Josh van der Flier continuing at seven.

The bench for Sunday includes Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Kieran Treadwell, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Sexton and James Hume.

Ireland: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 James Lowe, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony (c), 5 Ryan Baird, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Johnny Sexton, 23 James Hume

Date: Sunday, February 27
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Nika Amashukeli
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley, Christophe Ridley
TMO: Eric Gauzins

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