NFL Scrum-half Craig Casey will make his first Ireland Test start away to Italy on Saturday

[Lupin]

Andy Farrell has made six changes to the Ireland Six Nations side to face Italy in Rome on Saturday, with half-backs Ross Byrne and Craig Casey in to make their first championship starts.

Byrne starts with skipper Johnny Sexton (groin) out injured, while Casey is named from the start with club team-mate Conor Murray dropping to the bench.

With Sexton absent, and back-row Peter O'Mahony dropping down to the bench, second-row James Ryan is named captain for the seventh time in his Test career.