Munster combo with Conor Murray swung Ireland nod for Keatley

Joe Schmidt has declared his confidence in Munster out-half Ian Keatley, who will wear the number ten jersey for Ireland against Italy on Saturday.

It will be Keatley's first-ever Six Nations appearance.

Keatley beat Leinster counterpart Ian Madigan in the race to fill in for Jonathan Sexton, who Schmidt said at Thursday afternoon's team announcement will almost certainly be available on Saturday week for France’s visit to Dublin.