Experienced Ireland players need to 'show the way' against Italy, says Farrell 

The hosts will look to kickstart their campaign on Saturday.

Head Coach Andy Farrell. Pic: INPHO/Nick Elliott

Andy Farrell has urged his senior players to set an example to rookie power forwards Edwin Edogbo and Cormac Izuchukwu as he looks for Ireland to restore physical intent to their game when they face Italy in Dublin on Saturday.

The head coach has made six changes to his starting line-up from the one which allowed France to race into a 29-0 lead inside 46 minutes of a 36-14 defeat on the opening night of the 2026 Guinness Six Nations in Paris last Thursday week. He has handed championship debuts to Ulster duo Rob Baloucoune on the right wing and Izuchukwu at blindside flanker. Among the further changes of a bench of six forwards and two backs, Farrell has also put Munster lock Edogbo in line for an Ireland debut as a replacement for the sold-out Aviva Stadium clash with an Italian team travelling with confidence following their 18-15 victory over Scotland in Rome last Saturday.