Ireland's leaders still standing in Rome have been given the demand to step up and be counted - after the loss of another experienced star on the eve of today's Italy clash.
Leinster centre Garry Ringrose is the latest casualty - the 28-year-old misses out after a calf issue that he picked up last night tightened up on the trip to the Italian capital on Thursday.
Stuart McCloskey is recalled to the side and will partner Bundee Aki in the absence of Ringrose, with Jimmy O'Brien set for his debut Six Nations appearance off the bench - as is Jack Crowley, who provides out-half cover.
Ringrose, 28, was withdrawn from the side yesterday and is another enforced change for Andy Farrell to absorb after skipper Johnny Sexton, Tadhg Beirne and Rob Herring were injured against France a fortnight ago.
With Tadhg Furlong, Jamison Gibson-Park and Robbie Henshaw absent again, and with Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray on the bench, Ireland must deal with a serious experience deficit when they kick-off against the Azzurri.
Add in the fact that half-backs Ross Byrne and Craig Casey are starting a Six Nations fixture for the first time - and also starting together for the first time - and the resurgent hosts will fancy their chances of ambushing the world's top ranked side.
In all, there are now seven changes from the starting line-up that beat France to set up a shot at the Grand Slam.
Asked if there was an added need for the remaining team leaders such as stand-in skipper James Ryan, Ulster captain Iain Henderson, the ever-consistent Hugo Keenan and Connacht leader Aki to make themselves heard, Ireland assistant coach Mike Catt replied: "100%.
"Garry - the way he's played this year and developed over the past two, three years; not just as a player, but as a person and as a leader - he's massively important.
"We do expect your Bundees, your Stus, irrelevant of how quiet they might be, or might seem, they need to know their detail like Garry would.
"The beauty of Garry and Johnny being over with us now is they can drip-feed in that information to Ross and give a helping hand, so it's been brilliant having them here.
"What we expect from the players is for them to know their detail anyway.
"Certain guys like Hugo might step up now if Ringer is not there, Ross will step up a little bit more. We've got enough leaders in there now to do that role."
Catt praised no 10 Byrne for improving his game during his 18-month international exile and, after outstanding cameos off the bench against Wales and France, he has got his chance from the kick-off at the Stadio Olimpico.
“He’s gone away, he’s taken his medicine, and he’s fixed what we needed him to do to get in the team," said the backs coach.
"I think staying with Leinster, they play some brilliant rugby and Ross has really got his confidence back.
"He’s an exceptionally good speaker, so he controls the room when he speaks, he’s an exceptionally good leader, he understands the game.
"That authority that Ross gives you, a little like Johnny, is something that Jack could learn still - that’s his process he’s going through.
"It’s making sure that Ross implements that. You can’t argue that Ross has played exceptionally well this year and he deserves a shot, and he’s taken it.
"That’s what we love as a group of coaches. He’s been down, chucked away and back in, and he’s performing and he’s going to make sure he stays there."
READ NEXT:
Ireland's Lowe blow v France shouldn't have been allowed, admits hot-shot James
RTE viewers left disagreeing over Liam Brady's 'hitlist' after Liverpool lose to Real Madrid
FAI policy on trans women revealed in wake of LGFA green light
Ted Walsh "absolutely shocked" with Any Second Now's Grand National weight
Golf star Rory McIlroy wanted as his Ryder Cup partner for 20 years joins LIV Golf
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
