O’Driscoll is captain in Italian experiment

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL will captain Ireland in his 39th international appearance against Italy on Saturday at Thomond Park, leading a side which shows 13 changes from the victory over Wales.

Indeed, he and David Humphreys are the only players to retain their places in an experimental side.

O'Driscoll, who takes the captain's armband from the rested Keith Wood is relishing the outing, as he feels he had a low key performance against the Welsh.