Munster scrumhalf Craig Casey will also make his first Six Nations start in Rome on Saturday
As expected, Andy Farrell has promoted six players from the replacements’ bench who helped to seal the epic win over France for Ireland’s third match of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations against Italy at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.
The most eye-catching sees Craig Casey partner Ross Byrne in what will be just a second and third Test start for both halfbacks, and a first start in the Six Nations for each player. The 23-year-old Casey made his international debut in the corresponding round three game in Rome two years ago, but his only start to date was in the win over the USA in July 2021 when a restricted crowd of 3,000 was permitted. Byrne’s two starts both came in defeats against England at Twickenham, namely in the 2019 World Cup warm-up match and in the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup.
In light of the ankle injury Tadhg Beirne suffered against France which ended his run of 14 consecutive Test starts Iain Henderson, who was a replacement in both of the Welsh and French games, when replacing Beirne in the 46th minute, is reunited with James Ryan, who captains the side for a seventh time. It will be Henderson’s first Test start since last season’s Six Nations.
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