Lowe returns to much changed Ireland side for Italy Six Nations match

Veteran wing James Lowe returns to the Ireland starting line-up for their Six Nations match with Italy on Saturday as head coach Andy Farrell made sweeping changes following a desperately disappointing opening 36-14 defeat by France.

Lowe, who will win his 44th cap, was a surprise omission from the matchday 23 in France and is one of six changes to the starting XV from the game in Paris.

Farrell admitted there had been some “soul-searching” since their second successive Six Nations hammering by France — which for some confirmed the impression the Irish are on the decline.

The Irish were crowned Six Nations champions in 2024 — having also achieved the Grand Slam in 2023 — but their results last November suggested they had lost their edge.

Farrell, though, said the players had responded well in training since the French defeat.

“We’re very happy because nobody was holding back,” said Farrell.

“There was a lot of honesty and no excuses. We tried to get back to simplifying things down and to understand what we stand for as a team.

“You always think that preparations are going right, but until you get a smack in the face like we did in Paris then, you find out about yourselves.

“The good thing is nine days later we get another crack at it.”

Farrell has also brought in Robert Baloucoune on the other wing, for his Six Nations debut — the duo replaces Tommy O’Brien and Jacob Stockdale who drop out of the 23 altogether.

Lowe’s fellow Kiwi and Leinster teammate Jamison Gibson-Park drops to the bench with Craig Casey replacing him at scrum-half.

He will team up with fly-half Sam Prendergast, who has retained his place despite missing seven tackles in the French match — Jack Crowley, who is generally regarded as a more solid defender, is on the bench.

Baloucoune’s Ulster teammate Cormac Izuchukwu also gets his Six Nations debut at flanker ahead of 2022 world player of the year Josh van der Flier, who is not even a replacement, with Nick Timoney preferred as back up after his try-scoring introduction off the bench in Paris.

Jack Conan and James Ryan also come into the starting line-up at No.8 and lock respectively.

Farrell has had to cope with several key players being injured but one of them, star prop Tadhg Furlong, has recovered well enough to be named on the bench.

‘Special’ aim 

Italy have only beaten the Irish four times — just once in the Six Nations in Rome in 2013 — but come to Dublin with a spring in their step having beaten Scotland in their opener.

Farrell, though, is expecting his side to put up a much better performance than they did in Paris, where they only got on the scoreboard in the second-half, and avoid what would be only their second defeat in Dublin by the Italians.

“We’ve had some great battles against Italy in recent years and Saturday will be no different,” said Farrell in an Irish Rugby statement.

“We know we have to reach a consistently high standard and that’s the exciting challenge that awaits us.

“There has been a positive reaction in training this week and we’ll aim to keep on building into the weekend.”

Farrell paid a special tribute to Edwin Edogbo, who will make his Test debut should he come off the bench.

“I would like to single out Edwin on his first selection for the senior team,” said the 50-year-old Englishman.

“A product of the club game with Cobh Pirates and UCC, he has shown real quality in his performances for Munster and in training with us over recent times.

“We will aim to make it a special day for Edwin.”

Team (15-1)

Jamie Osborne; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Craig Casey; Jack Conan, Caelan Doris (capt), Cormac Izuchukwu; James Ryan, Joe McCarthy; Thomas Clarkson, Dan Sheehan, Jeremy Loughman

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Tadhg Furlong, Edwin Edogbo, Tadhg Beirne, Nick Timoney, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Crowley

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