Captain Jonathan Sexton and padlock James Ryan suffered head injuries in Ireland after making seven changes to their squad to face Italy on Saturday in six countries.

However, Schrumholf Connor Murray did not recover from a formal issue.

Reserve Manchester Schrഹോmholf Craig Casey and Leinster Locke Ryan Baird, who were not used against France two weeks ago, are all set to leave the bench for their first appearance.

The Lions Tighthead started the first Test in less than a year with a new front line from Dave Gilcoin, Ronan Kelleher and Dat Farlong.

When Ryan returned from injury against Wales in the first round, Dat, who was in form, went blind from the Bayern block and Will Connors was on the open side.

Sailston also suffered injuries against Wales and lost to France, while Jordan Larmore missed the right-back and Keith Earls lost a reserve in the Leinster appendix.

Ireland have lost their first two matches for the first time since 1998, while Italy have lost 29 consecutive Tests since 2015.

___

Ireland: Hugo Keenan, Jordan Larmore, Gary Ringross, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe, Jonathan Sexton (Capitano), Jamieson Gibson-Park; CJ Stonder, Will Connors, Thoth Byrne, James Ryan, Ian Henderson, Thoth Furlong, Ronan Kelleher, Dave Gilcoin. Aseoni: Rob Herring, Sean Healy, Andrew Porter, Ryan Byrd, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Billy Burns, Keith Earls.

___

Other AP Games: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports, https://twitter.com/AP_Sports