Six Nations: Michael Lowry to make Ireland debut against Italy

Ulster's Michael Lowry will make his Ireland debut at full-back having been named to start against Italy in Dublin.

Joey Carbery stays at fly-half with the fit-again Johnny Sexton on the bench.

With James Ryan ruled out with an adductor injury, Peter O'Mahony captains the side from blindside flanker.

Robbie Henshaw returns to join Garry Ringrose in midfield as James Lowe returns from a groin injury to start on the left wing.

As expected, Dan Sheehan is selected at hooker after Ronan Kelleher suffered a tournament-ending shoulder injury in Ireland's defeat by France two weeks ago.

The Leinster forward is handed his first senior international start as one of three changes to the Irish pack with Ryan Baird coming in to join Tadhg Beirne in the second row.

O'Mahony's introduction sees Caelan Doris move to number eight as Jack Conan drops onto the bench.

Having missed out on a place in the matchday 23 for Ireland's trip to the Stade de France, James Hume is preferred to Bundee Aki in the replacements while Rob Herring is in line to make his first appearance of the tournament having been unavailable for the opening two fixtures with a calf injury.

More to follow.

Ireland: Lowry; Hansen, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; Carbery, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Beirne, Baird; O'Mahony, van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Herring, Kilcoyne, Bealham, Treadwell, Conan, Casey, Sexton, Hume.