Ulster full-back Michael Lowry will receive his first taste of international action when Ireland host Italy in the Six Nations on Sunday, with the speedster set to start in his debut.
Uncapped Lowry is one of six changes made by head coach Andy Farrell, who has also welcomed James Lowe back into his XV after the New Zealand native made a scoring return for Leinster on the weekend.
The Leinster infusion continues with Dan Sheehan and Ryan Baird coming in at hooker and lock, respectively, each replacing club team-mates in Ronan Kelleher and James Ryan, respectively.
Robbie Henshaw is set to make his first start of the tournament and replaces Connacht's Bundee Aki at inside centre, while Mack Hansen switches to the other wing in order to accommodate Lowe.
Skipper Johnny Sexton is also back in the squad as a substitute after he missed the disappointing 30-24 loss to France in Paris, with Munster 's Joey Carbery keeping his place in the No. 10 jersey.
Thomond Park talisman Peter O'Mahony is the last of the changes and comes in at blindside flanker while Caelan Doris moves to No. 8, with British and Irish Lions -capped Jack Conan to come off the bench.
Many fans will consider Lowry's call-up overdue given his form at provincial level this season, highlighting his value with three tries in two Champions Cup games at the beginning of 2022.
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His introduction means regular full-back Hugo Keenan will receive a much-deserved rest this weekend, although Farrell's bench looks somewhat light on cover in that department.
The Ireland chief has opted for a 5-3 split between forwards and backs on his bench, with Sexton and Craig Casey his half-back reserves while James Hume is set to come on in the centre.
Connacht utility Hansen is the obvious candidate to cover full-back if Lowry were unable to complete the game, although Lowe could be another option in that position should Farrell need.
Hume will be one of three Ulster replacements on Sunday's bench, with hooker Rob Herring and English-born Kieran Treadwell ready to step up against the Azzurri.
O'Mahony will captain the team at the Aviva Stadium in his return to the starting line-up, while openside Josh van der Flier is looking to build on a try-scoring display in defeat to the French a fortnight ago.
That loss to Les Bleus means Ireland need someone else to beat Fabien Galthie's men if they're to have a shot at the crown, but a win over Italy is very much within their own grasp.
Kieran Crowley's side will be motivated to give a stronger account after succumbing 33-0 at home to England in Round 2, though a quarter of a century has passed since their sole win in Dublin (January 1997).
Italy have made three changes to their XV following that defeat, with Pierre Bruno replacing winger Federico Mori, Benetton's Leonardo Marin starting at centre and Giovanni Pettinelli coming in at blindside flanker.
Ireland team vs. Italy
(Backs) Michael Lowry; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Joey Carbery, Jamison Gibson Park; (Forwards) Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Tadhg Beirne, Ryan Baird; Peter O'Mahony (capt), Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Reps: Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Kieran Treadwell, Jack Conan, Craig Casey, Johnny Sexton, James Hume.
