Crowley starts as Ireland make six changes for Italy

Men's Six Nations: Italy v Ireland

Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Date: Saturday, 15 March Kick-off: 14:15 GMT

Coverage: Listen on Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds; text updates and highlights on BBC Sport website and app; watch on ITV1

Jack Crowley has been recalled at fly-half for Ireland's final Six Nations match against Italy in Rome, as Sam Prendergast drops to the bench.

Munster's Crowley played every minute of Ireland's title-winning campaign in 2024, but Leinster's Prendergast has started the past six Test matches.

Crowley, 25, returns to the starting XV amid reports linking him with a move, external to English Premiership side Leicester Tigers when his Munster deal expires this summer.

It is one of six changes made by interim boss Simon Easterby as Ireland aim to bounce back from last week's crushing defeat by France that ended their Grand Slam hopes.

In the backline, there are also returns for fit-again wingers James Lowe and Mack Hansen, while Garry Ringrose starts at outside centre after missing the France match through suspension.

James Ryan is recalled to the second row, replacing Joe McCarthy, and Jack Conan - who has scored tries in Ireland's past three games - starts at blind-side flanker.

"We have freshened things up a little this week in selection and it's a great boost to welcome back some players from injury, alongside others who have patiently waited in the wings for their chance to start," said Easterby.

Having recovered from a calf injury, prop Tadhg Furlong is set to make his first appearance since last year's series in South Africa after being named on the bench.

Centurions Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray will make their final Ireland appearances from the bench, but Cian Healy - who is also retiring - is not included.

Ireland will win a third consecutive title if they secure a bonus-point win over Italy and both France and England fail to win.

If Ireland win without a bonus, France and England both have to lose for the trophy to remain in Dublin.

A draw with a bonus or defeat with two could also be enough if they finish with a better points difference over France and England, who must both also lose without claiming bonus points.

Ireland: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; Crowley, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Bealham; Ryan, Beirne; Conan, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).

Replacements: McCarthy, Boyle, Furlong, McCarthy, O'Mahony, Murray, Prendergast, Aki.

Andrew Porter and Tadhg Beirne, who were criticised by France head coach Fabien Galthie for their part in Antoine Dupont's season-ending injury, are retained in the Irish pack.

Galthie reported both players to the match's citing commissioner, but no action has been taken against them, and Porter later dismissed the coach's claim of foul play.

But lock McCarthy drops to the bench after being yellow-carded for cynically pulling back Thomas Ramos, resulting in the penalty from which France scored their opening try.

Easterby reverts to a five-three split of forwards and backs on the bench after opting for a six-two against France. Gus McCarthy and Jack Boyle join Furlong, McCarthy and O'Mahony as forwards cover, while Bundee Aki is the third backline replacement alongside Murray and Prendergast.

Lowe, a last-minute withdrawal from the France game because of a back spasm, returns on the left wing as Hansen is reinstated on the right after recovering from a quad problem.

Calvin Nash and Jamie Osborne, the starting wings against France, drop out of the squad.

"While there was disappointment with certain aspects of our performance last weekend, we are thankful for the chance to get back on the horse this week.

"We've shown our resilience in recent years and I have no reason to believe that the game in Rome this weekend will be any different."