O’Gara included for Ireland v Italy

Munster out-half Ronan O'Gara has been included in the Irish team for this Sunday's Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome.

O'Gara had been doubtful for the game after picking up a hand injury in recent Heineken Cup action.

Elsewhere, captain Brian O'Driscoll is also included in the team despite missing Leinster's Celtic League encounter last weekend, while Munster's Denis Leamy is set to make his Six Nations debut after being named in the forwards.

Geordan Murphy has been switched to his preferred position of full-back.

Ireland: G Murphy; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll (capt), G D'Arcy, D Hickie; R O'Gara, P Stringer; R Corrigan, S Byrne, J Hayes, M O'Kelly, P O'Connell, S Easterby, D Leamy, A Foley.

Replacements: F Sheahan, M Horan, D O'Callaghan, E Miller, G Easterby, D Humphreys, G Dempsey.