Ireland team to play Italy shows 13 changes

Centre Brian O’Driscoll and out half David Humphreys are the only survivors from the team originally selected in the 35 -12 defeat of Wales on August 16, chosen to play for Ireland in the permanent tsb international against Italy at Thomond Park on Saturday next (kick off 3pm).

O’Driscoll, winning his 39th cap, resumes the captaincy in the absence of Keith Wood.