Read a preview and watch a live stream of the encounter…
Where: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
When: 14:30 GMT, 7th February 2015
Click here to watch on BBC Sport online!
Ireland will have two Six Nations debutants in Ian Keatley and Jordi Murphy when they face Italy in their first match of the championship on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Italy have made just two changes to the side that lost to South Africa in November. Both are enforced, with Francesco Minto and George Bagi coming in for the injured Samuela Vunisa and Quintin Geldenhuys.
The Irish will want to make a strong start to the competition that they won in Brian O’Driscoll’s swansong just 12 months ago. They are marginal favourites to win back to back championships for the first time since the 1940s, having surged to third in the world rankings after going unbeaten throughout the Autumn internationals.
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