A welcome surprise.

After a disheartening 36-14 loss to France last weekend, and Italy's defeat of Scotland, there is worry among supporters that their side's poor form may continue and result in a first loss to the Azzurri since 2013.

However, fans will be pleased with some of the changes made by the usually conservative Farrell.

There are six changes to the starting XV, with James Lowe and Robert Baloucoune coming in on the wings, Craig Casey starting at scrum-half, James Ryan at lock, Jack Conan at number eight, and Cormac Izuchukwu packing down at blindside flanker.

Captain Caelan Doris has moved from his usual spot at number eight to start at openside flanker.

From the XV that started against France, Jacob Stockdale, Tommy O'Brien, Josh van der Flier, and Cian Prendergast have dropped out of the squad completely.

Farrell-favourites, Jamison Gibson-Park and Tadhg Beirne, have both dropped to the bench.

Tom O'Toole comes in as the loosehead on the bench, with Michael Milne losing out, while Tadhg Furlong returns from injury as the tighthead replacement, as Finlay Bealham drops out.

The uncapped Edwin Edogbo is in line to make his debut off the bench.

Ireland team to face Italy, from Irish Rugby:

15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(11)
14. Robert Baloucoune (Enniskillen/Ulster)(4)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(70)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(24)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(43)
10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(14)
9. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(25)

1. Jeremy Loughman (Garryowen/Munster)(6)
2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(36)
3. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Leinster)(11)
4. Joe McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)(20)
5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(77)
6. Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(3)
7. Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)(captain)(56)
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(56)

Replacements:

16. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(44)
17. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(17)
18. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)(82)
19. Edwin Edogbo (UCC/Munster)*
20. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(66)
21. Nick Timoney (Queen’s University/Ulster)(7)
22. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(47)
23. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(31).

* denotes uncapped player