‘Fighter’ Ed Byrne set for Irish debut

Ed Byrne training with Ireland this week. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Ireland’s showdown with Italy this afternoon could be quite the day for the loosehead props in the home dressing room.

Starting front-rower Cian Healy will pull on the green jersey for the 99th time in a storied career and an even bigger occasion awaits next Saturday in Paris if the 33-year-old safely negotiates today’s resumption of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations.