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Uncapped pair Will Connors and Hugo Keenan to start against Italy

Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell has named four uncapped players in his squad for Saturday's resc...



Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell has named four uncapped players in his squad for Saturday's rescheduled Six Nations game against Italy at the Aviva Stadium.

Will Connors and Hugo Keenan have both been included in the starting 15, while Ed Byrne and Jamison Gibson-Park are in line for their international debuts off the bench.

Captain, Johnny Sexton is joined in the half-backs by Conor Murray with Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose forming the midfield pairing.

Jacob Stockdale is named at fullback with Andrew Conway and the uncapped Keenan on the wings.

In the pack, it's a front row of Cian Healy, Rob Herring and Andrew Porter, while James Ryan and Tadgh Beirne start in the second row.

In the back row, Caelan Doris is named at blindside, Will Connors makes his debut at openside and CJ Stander is at No.8.

In the replacement forwards Byrne is joined by Dave HeffernanFinlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane and Peter O’Mahony.

Ross Byrne and Robbie Henshaw are the replacement backs alongside the uncapped Gibson-Park.

Ireland team:

15. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster/Lurgan) 28 caps
14. Andrew Conway (Munster/Garryowen) 21 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD) 29 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians) 26 caps
11. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD) uncapped
10. Jonathan Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College) 91 caps Captain
9. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen) 81 caps
1. Cian Healy (Leinster/Clontarf) 98 caps
2. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch) 11 caps
3. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD) 26 caps
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne) 13 caps
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD) 26 caps
6. Caelan Doris (Leinster/UCD) 2 caps
7. Will Connors (Leinster/UCD) uncapped
8. CJ Stander (Munster/Shannon) 41 caps

Replacements

16. Dave Heffernan (Connacht/Buccaneers) 1 cap
17. Ed Byrne (Leinster/UCD) uncapped
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Corinthians) 9 caps
19. Ultan Dillane (Connacht/Corinthians) 15 caps
20. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution) 67 caps
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster) uncapped
22. Ross Byrne (Leinster/UCD) 6 caps
23. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers) 43 caps

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Andy Farrell Aviva Stadium IRFU Ireland Italy Rugby Six Nations