Ireland set to welcome back key quintet for Italy clash 

The quintet all missed last Saturday’s Grand Slam-ending home defeat to France in Dublin, James Lowe having experienced a back spasm in the pre-game warm-up at Aviva Stadium. 

G'DAY MACK: Ireland winger Mack Hansen. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho

James Lowe and Ronan Kelleher are both “looking pretty good” to return for Ireland in Saturday’s final Guinness Six Nations round clash with Italy in Rome with attack coach Andrew Goodman admitting a successful title defence will rely on favours from Scotland and Wales.

Ireland are confident backs Lowe, fellow wing Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, and hooker Kelleher and prop Tadhg Furlong will all be available for selection when interim head coach Simon Easterby announces his matchday squad for Super Saturday visit to Stadio Olimpico.