ROME – Italy returned to action on Saturday with seven squad changes after captain Jonathan Sexton and block James Ryan suffered head injuries for Ireland.

However, Skrum-half Connor Murray has not recovered from a hamstring problem.

Monster Schroeder-half Craig Casey and Leinster Block Ryan Baird, who did not use their reserves against France two weeks ago, are lined up to leave the bench for their first appearance.

The Lions’ tense boss Dave Kilcoin, who started his first trial in less than a year, has a new front line from Ronan Keller and Thaddeus Farlong.

With Ryan returning from injury against Wales in the first round, Fit Tadg Bayern went to the blind side, while Will Connors was on the open side.

With Sailston also injured against Wales and losing to France, Jordan Larmore was on the right, while Keith Earls went down to the back of the line at all Leinster backlines.

The first two matches of the tournament were lost for the first time since 1998, and since 2015, Italy have lost 29 consecutive Tests.

Italy, meanwhile, called it the same XV that lost 41-18 at Twickenham to England, who started last season.

All the changes were in the reserve, where strikers Sheriff Troy, Maxim Embanda, full-back Braley and Mattia Bellini entered. Brawley and Bellini last appeared in the fall.

The Carlo Kanna Indoor Center will arrive in its fiftieth presence, with Irish curator Robbie Henshow.

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Programming:

Italy: Jacopo Trulla, Luka Sperantio, Juan Ignacio Brex, Carlo Cana, Montana Eon, Paulo Garbici, Stephen Warni; Michelle Lamaro, Johan Mayer, Sebastian Negri, David CC, Marco Lazaroni, Marco Riccioni, Luka Bigi (capt), Andrea Lovotti. Reserve Collections: Gianmarco Lucci, Cherif Trora, Giuseppe Silochi, Nicola Cannon, Maxim Embanda, Calum Braley, Federico Mori, Modia Bellini.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmore, Gary Ringros, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Jonathan Sexton (Capitano), Jamieson Gibson-Park; CJ Standard, Will Connors, Thaddeus Byrne, James Ryan, Ian Henderson, Thudg Furlong, Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoin. Reserve: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Andrew Porter, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Billy Burns, Keith Earls.

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