Caelan Doris will captain Ireland for the first time when they face Italy in the Six Nations on Sunday, with regular skipper Peter O’Mahony out after suffering a knock against France.
Ireland began their quest for back-to-back Grand Slams in emphatic fashion last week, beating France 38-17 in the tournament’s opening match to mark themselves out as favourites to retain their crown.
However, boss Andy Farrell has made six changes to Ireland’s starting XV for this weekend’s meeting with Italy in Dublin, after several players sustained knocks in France.
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Captain O’Mahony joins centre Bundee Aki, tighthead Tadhg Furlong, lock Tadhg Beirne, scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park and openside Josh van der Flier in dropping out of the lineup, with only the latter duo being named among the replacements.
Garry Ringrose is absent again after a shoulder injury caused him to sit out last week’s opener, but Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey has been recalled after missing the win in Marseille.
Craig Casey, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ryan Baird and Jack Conan are the other players brought into the Ireland side as they look to make it two wins from two games.
Our team to face Italy at Aviva Stadium, captained by Caelan Doris! 👊#TeamOfUs
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 9, 2024
Speaking to the IRFU’s website after being named Ireland’s 110th different captain, Doris said: “Andy told me on Tuesday and I’m delighted to be in this position for the week.
“There are lots of nerves but also lots of excitement and it’s helped by having such a good group around me and such good leaders. It’s been made easy by them.
“Looking at some of the names that have done it in the past, it gives me a big sense of imposter syndrome but also reaffirms how big an honour it is, so I’m delighted to be in this position.”
Italy, meanwhile, have made four changes to the team which started last week’s narrow defeat to England, as they chase their first Six Nations win over Ireland since 2013.
Ange Capuozzo, Stephen Varney, Alessandro Izekor and Federico Ruzza have been recalled by Gonzalo Quesada, with Tommaso Allan, Alessandro Garbisi, Sebastian Negri and Lorenzo Cannone dropping out.
🇮🇹 The @Federugby side looking to knock Ireland off the top spot 🙌#GuinnessM6N #IREITA pic.twitter.com/hq9qY0RXZY
— Guinness Men’s Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 9, 2024
Ireland team: Hugo Keenan, Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; 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.
Italy team: Ange Capuozzo, Lorenzo Pani, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Montanna Ioane, Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Danilo Fischetti, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Pietro Ceccarelli, Niccolo Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Alessandro Izekor, Manuel Zulani, Michele Lamaro.
Replacements: Giacomo Nicotera, Mirco Spagnolo, Giosue Zilocchi, Andrea Zambonin, Ross Vintcent, Martin Page-Relo, Tommaso Allan, Federico Mori.
