Best out, Scannell starts for Ireland

Editor

Ireland will be without Rory Best for their fixture against Italy after he was ruled out due to a stomach bug, with Niall Scannell now starting.

Best was a doubt when he missed Friday's captain's run and it has now been confirmed he'll miss the Six Nations match at the Stadio Olimpico.

It will be Scannell's first cap for Ireland while Leinster hooker James Tracy comes onto the replacements bench after flying into Rome on Friday.

Ireland (revised): 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip (c), 7 Sean O’Brien, 6 CJ Stander, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Niall Scannell, 1 Cian Healy
Replacements: 16 James Tracy, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 John Ryan, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Josh van der Flier, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Ian Keatley, 23 Craig Gilroy

Date: Saturday, February 11
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Kick-off: 15:25 local (14:25 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)