Sexton returns as Ireland ring in changes for Italy Six Nations clash
DUBLIN: Johnny Sexton returns to lead a muchchanged Ireland side in Saturday’s Six Nations match against Italy, with Andy Farrell’s men desperate for a first win in this year’s tournament.
The Irish head to Rome hoping to avoid losing their first three games for the first time since the 1998 Five Nations, when they ended up with the wooden spoon.
Head coach Andy Farrell has made seven changes including an all-new front row ater the 15-13 defeat by France, with prop Tadhg Furlong starting his first Test since the loss to England last February.
“The three coming in have been working together in training for the last three-and-a-half weeks so there is some continuity in that regard,” Farrell said on Thursday.
“We feel Ronan (Kelleher, the hooker) deserves a start as his atitude has been excellent and he has played well when he has come on.”
Farrell said the decision to make sweeping changes in personnel was not a sign of panic ater defeats to Wales and France.
“Some guys are coming back in and some of the others have had more game time under their belt,” he said.
“Others have earned their place and deserve a chance. All in all we have picked the best side for this weekend for Italy.”
James Ryan returns to partner Iain Henderson in the second row. Ryan and Sexton missed the
France game because they failed to pass returnto-play protocols relating to head injuries.
Will Connors comes in at flanker for Leinster team-mate Josh van der Flier and twinkle-toed winger Jordan Larmour replaces veteran Keith Earls, who is on the bench.
It will be Larmour’s first Test start for a year and his first time on the wing since before the 2019 World Cup.
Farrell said the 23-year-old had the ability to change matches.
RIGHT DIRECTION: Earls’s Munster team-mate scrum-half Conor Murray is still batling back from a hamstring injury so Sexton will be partnered at half-back by Jamison Gibson-park.
Both Farrell and atack coach Mike Cat have spoken of their frustration at the lack of finishing by the backs.