Farrell: Casey and Byrne have earned right to start

For Casey, who has kept Murray out of the Munster starting line-up in recent weeks, it marks a second Test start in his 10th Ireland appearance having previously worn the number nine jersey against the USA in July 2021.

IMPRESSED: Head coach Andy Farrell during an Ireland rugby media conference at the Radisson Dublin Airport Hotel. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Andy Farrell believes Craig Casey and Ross Byrne have earned their right to make their first Guinness Six Nations starts as Ireland’s half-back pairing against Italy.

World number one Ireland, unbeaten after two rounds thanks to bonus-point victories over both Wales and France, were set to fly to Rome on Thursday afternoon for Saturday’s round three clash at Stadio Olimpico with the head coach having made six changes and one positional switch to the side which triumphed 32-19 against the French in Dublin 12 days ago.