James Downey backs Jordan Larmour to start against Italy

If it's going to happen, it's probably going to be against Italy.

Irish Rugby fans have been clamouring for at least the last month to see electric Leinster utility Jordan Larmour included in an Ireland matchday squad. With a hapless Italy side coming to Dublin on Saturday, a side that have beaten Ireland just once since 1997, Larmour could get his chance to start with both Jacob Stockdale and Rob Kearney under pressure to keep their places in the starting XV. Many have called for Larmour to start on the wing ahead of Stockdale but former Munster centre James Downey has backed the St. Michael's flier to start ahead of Kearney at full-back. "If you're going to blood him in for a game, that's not a bad one for him," said Downey on the latest episode of The Hard Yards. "[Andrew] Conway is not a bad shout either, he could change up one or two, but he's not going to make five changes. It will be two or three max." Selection discussion from the 25:00 mark. https://soundcloud.com/thehardyardssportsjoe/what-a-finish-in-paris-41-phases-misfiring-ireland-hias-and-a-look-ahead-at-next-week