Conan gets nod for Ireland

Ireland have made four changes to their XV that will face Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, with Jack Conan one of those included.

Hooker Rory Best leads the side on the occasion of his 108th cap and is joined in a strong front-row by Jack McGrath and Tadhg Furlong.

Iain Henderson and Devin Toner start in the second-row with Peter O’Mahony at blindside, Dan Leavy on the openside and Conan at eight.

Conor Murray, who won his 60th cap last week again partners Johnny Sexton, who will in his 70th on Saturday, in the half-backs while Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw are paired in the centres. Rob Kearney, winning his 80th cap, is at full-back with Keith Earls and Jacob Stockdale on the wings in an uncahnged backline from Paris.

The uncapped Jordan Larmour is in line for his first cap as he his named in the replacements which also includes Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Andrew Porter, Quinn Roux, CJ Stander, Kieran Marmion and Joey Carbery.

15 Rob Kearney, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Dan Leavy, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rory Best (c), 1 Jack McGrath Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Quinn Roux, 20 CJ Stander, 21 Kieran Marmion, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Jordan Larmour.