Youngster Paolo Garbisi handed Italy debut

Franco Smith, head coach of the Italian team, has named his side to face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday.

The back three sees Jayden Hayward – the only player over 30 in the team – Mattia Bellini and Edoardo Padovani start, the latter returning after some injuries that prevented him from taking the field regularly last season.

Carlo Canna, after the first three matches of the Six Nations, is at centre alongside Luca Morisi. Meanwhile, Paolo Garbisi – fresh from his debut in the PRO14 with Benetton – will earn his first international cap, with Marcello Violi at scrum-half.

Polledri at number eight

Jake Polledri, having consistently impressed in the Premiership, will wear the number eight shirt for the first time alongside Braam Steyn and Sebastian Negri in the back-row.

Marco Lazzaroni and Niccolo Cannone are at lock while in the front-row Danilo Fischetti and Giosue Zilocchi are either side of hooker and captain Luca Bigi.

On the bench will be the rookie Gianmarco Lucchesi, Simone Ferrari, Pietro Ceccarelli, David Sisi, Johan Meyer, Maxime Mbandà, Callum Braley and the utility back Federico Mori.

Italy: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Edoardo Padovani, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Carlo Canna, 11 Mattia Bellini, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Marcello Vioili, 8 Jake Polledri, 7 Braam Steyn, 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Niccolò Cannone, 4 Marco Lazzaroni, 3 Giosuè Zilocchi, 2 Luca Bigi (c), 1 Danilo Fischetti
Replacements: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Simone Ferrari, 18 Pietro Ceccarelli, 19 David Sisi, 20 Johan Meyer, 21 Maxime Mbanda, 22 Callum Braley, 23 Federico Mori

Date: Saturday, October 24
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 15:30 BST (14:30 GMT)
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (England), Mike Adamson (Scotland)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)