Lowe and Kelleher continue to be monitored while Furlong, Hansen and Ringrose set for return

TEAM UPDATE: Tadhg Furlong, Mack Hansen and Garry Ringrose are set to return while James Lowe is being monitored after picking up a back injury on Saturday but has shown improvement. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Ireland have stepped up their preparations for their final Six Nations clash gainst Italy at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday (2.15pm Irish time).

Tadhg Furlong, Mack Hansen and Garry Ringrose are set to return while James Lowe is being monitored after picking up a back injury on Saturday but has shown improvement. Rónan Kelleher continues to be monitored with a decision to be made on their availability later in the week.

Interim head coach Simon Easterby will named his side at lunchtime on Thursday.

Ireland Squad to face Italy

Forwards (21): Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Boyle, Thomas Clarkson, Jack Conan, Gavin Coombes, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Rob Herring, Rónan Kelleher, Gus McCarthy, Joe McCarthy, Peter O'Mahony, Tom O'Toole, Andrew Porter, Cian Prendergast, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Josh van der Flier 

Backs (17): Bundee Aki, Caolin Blade, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray, Calvin Nash, Jimmy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose, Jacob Stockdale.