Proud day for all at Ballina RFC as Doris to captain Ireland for first time

It will be a proud day for all at Ballina RFC on Sunday as Caelan Doris will captain Ireland for the first time in their Guinness Six Nations clash against Italy at the Aviva Stadium (3pm).

The Lacken man will become the 110th player to captain the Ireland men’s team in Test rugby.

Head Coach Andy Farrell has selected an unchanged back three for the Round 2 clash as Hugo Keenan starts at full-back, while Calvin Nash and James Lowe continue on the wings. Robbie Henshaw is retained at outside centre, with Stuart McCloskey coming into the Ireland midfield at inside centre, replacing Bundee Aki.

Having made his first Guinness Six Nations start last weekend in Marseille, Jack Crowley remains at out-half and is partnered by his Munster team-mate Craig Casey in the half-backs.

In the pack, Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Finlay Bealham make up the front row, with James Ryan coming into the starting XV to partner Joe McCarthy – Player of the Match against France – in the second row.

Ryan Baird is named at blindside flanker, Doris shifts to openside and Jack Conan completes the starting team at number eight.

Farrell has strong options among his replacements with Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson and Josh van der Flier providing the reinforcements in the pack, while Jamison Gibson-Park, Harry Byrne and Jordan Larmour are the backline replacements.

Sunday’s match is live on Virgin Media One in Republic of Ireland and ITV in the United Kingdom.

Ireland (v Italy): Hugo Keenan, Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Caelan Doris (captain), Jack Conan.

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson,  Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Harry Byrne, Jordan Larmour.