Six Nations: Ulster's McCloskey named to start against Italy

Ulster's Stuart McCloskey has been named to start for Ireland against Italy in Sunday's Six Nations Clash at the Aviva Stadium. (3pm).

McCloskey comes into the midfield at inside centre, while club-mates Iain Henderson and Tom O'Toole are named amongst the replacements as Head Coach Andy Farrell males a number of changes form the side that beat France.

Caelan Doris will captain Farrell’s side for the first time, becoming the 110th player to captain the Ireland Men’s team in Test rugby.

Farrell has selected an unchanged back three for the tie as Hugo Keenan starts at full-back, while Calvin Nash and James Lowe continue on the wings. Robbie Henshaw is retained at outside centre, with McCloskey partnering him in midfield.

Having made his first Six Nations start last weekend in Marseille, Jack Crowley remains at out-half and is partnered by his Munster team-mate Craig Casey in the half-backs.

In the pack, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Finlay Bealham make up the front row, with James Ryan coming into the starting XV to partner Joe McCarthy – Player of the Match against France – in the second row.

Ryan Baird is named at blindside flanker, Doris shifts to openside and Jack Conan completes the starting team at number eight.

Farrell has strong options among his replacements with Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, O’Toole, Henderson and Josh van der Flier providing the reinforcements in the pack, while Jamison Gibson-Park, Harry Byrne and Jordan Larmour are the backline replacements.

Ireland team to face Italy, Sunday February 11th (3pm), Aviva Stadium, Dublin

15-9: Hugo Keenan, Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey

1-8: Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Caelan Doris (C), Jack Conan

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Harry Byrne, Jordan Larmour