Keatley gets nod ahead of Madigan for Italy game

Ian Keatley in action during squad training at Carton House, Maynooth this morning. Picture: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

Joe Schmidt has named his starting 15 and, as anticipated, Ian Keatley starts in the number ten shirt alongside Munster team-mate Conor Murray at scrum-half. Ian Madigan has been named among the replacements.

Rob Kearney starts at 15 with Tommy Bowe and Simon Zebo on the wings.

Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw continue the centre partnership first seen in the November series, with Payne at outside centre and Henshaw at 12. Gordon D’arcy doesn’t feature in the squad.

Jared Payne, left, and Robbie Henshaw on the way into training today at Carton House, Maynooth.

Picture: Matt Browne / SPORTSFILE

In the forwards Jordi Murphy is given the nod at number eight. Peter O’Mahony starts at blindside with Sean O’Brien at openside flanker.

Ireland's Jordi Murphy arrives for squad training. Carton House, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

Picture: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

Paul O’Connell is joined by Devin Toner in the second row while Rory Best starts at hooker.

Jack McGrath starts at loosehead prop with Mike Ross at tighthead.

Ireland Team

15 Rob Kearney

14 Tommy Bowe

13 Jared Payne

12 Robbie Henshaw

11 Simon Zebo

10 Ian Keatley

9 Conor Murray

8 Jordi Murphy

7 Sean O’Brien

6 Peter O’Mahony

5 Paul O’Connell

4 Devin Toner

3 Mike Ross

2 Rory Best

1 Jack McGrath

Replacements

16 Sean Cronin

17 James Cronin

18 Martin Moore

19 Iain Henderson

20 Tommy O’Donnell

21 Isaac Boss

22 Ian Madigan

23 Felix Jones