Heffernan misses out on Ireland selection for Italy game
The Ireland coaching group have made seven changes to the side that started against France in round two of the 2021 Guinness Six Nations Championship, but there's no place in the match-day selection for Mayo man Dave Heffernan.
Yet while Ireland have released Bundee Aki to get game time in the PRO14 this weekend, his Connacht colleague Heffernan has been kept in the Irish squad.
Uncapped duo Craig Casey, who was on the bench for the game against France, and Ryan Baird are in line for their first international caps in Stadio Olimpico on Saturday afternoon, while Johnny Sexton returns to captain the side and partners Jamison Gibson Park in the half-backs.
Robbie Henshaw, who earns his 50th cap for Ireland, will again partner Garry Ringrose in the midfield, Hugo Keenan retains his place at full-back, with James Lowe on the left wing and Jordan Larmour coming in on the right-hand side.
A new front row combination of Dave Kilcoyne, Ronan Kelleher and Tadgh Furlong is set to start. James Ryan returns to the second row to partner Iain Henderson, while Tadgh Beirne shifts to the back row, filling the blindside role, with Will Connors at openside and C.J. Stander at eight.
The replacements for the weekend are Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Andrew Porter, Jack Conan, Billy Burns, Keith Earls and the uncapped duo of Baird and Casey.
Aki returns to Connacht
As menioned, Bundee Aki has been released from Ireland duty to start for Connacht in tomorrow (Friday) evening’s Guinness PRO14 clash away to Benetton Rugby (k.o. 5.30 p.m. Irish time).
Aki started in last week’s bonus point win over Cardiff Blues and will again play tomorrow in a boost to Andy Friend’s side, who are looking to make it three wins on the bounce in the PRO14.
Oisin Dowling has also been handed his first start for the province, having featured off the bench in the last two games.
Dowling is joined alongside Gavin Thornbury in the second row, with Paddy McAllister, Shane Delahunt and Finlay Bealham completing the tight five. The back row is unchanged from the win over Cardiff Blues last time out, with Paul Boyle at number eight alongside flankers Eoghan Masterson and captain Jarrad Butler.
There’s a new-look half-back pairing with Kieran Marmion alongside Conor Fitzgerald, while Tom Daly partners O’Brien in the centre. Finally Tiernan O’Halloran is handed his first start in nearly two months after recovering from injury, taking his place at full-back, with Alex Wootton and Peter Sullivan on the wings.
There’s an experienced look to the bench, with centurions Denis Buckley, Caolin Blade and Jack Carty all included.
Head coach Andy Friend says they are keen to give game-time to some players without disrupting the flow of a number of impressive team performances.
He explained: “This is a big day for Oisin getting his first start, and with Bundee released from Ireland duty and the likes of Tiernan and Kieran coming into the team also they bring a lot of experience with them. Overall we’ve named a very strong squad that is capable of keeping our winning run going.”
Friend also stressed the importance of treating each game like a cup final during this final run-in: “I said at the start of this block of games that we realistically need five wins from five to have a chance of finishing top of the Conference, so this game is just as important as what’s gone before.
“Italy is always a tough place to get a win and we’ve seen from their last few performances that they’re getting closer to that first victory this season, so we have to be at our best to make sure that doesn’t come against us.”