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Katie Sands

What time is Ireland v Italy and what TV channel is Six Nations match on?

Ireland host Italy in Dublin on Sunday to conclude the Six Nations' third round of action.

Andy Farrell's men will be searching for a bonus-point win as they look to get their title charge back on track, while the visitors will be hoping to get some points on the board after being 'nilled' by England for the first time in round two.

Here's everything you need to know about the match:

What time is Ireland v Italy kick-off?

Ireland v Italy kicks off at 3pm on Sunday, February 27, at the Aviva Stadium.

What TV channel is Ireland v Italy on? What about live streaming?

Ireland v Italy is being broadcast live on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 2.15pm. Viewers can also live stream coverage via the ITV Hub.

What's the Ireland v Italy team news?

Michael Lowry will make his Ireland debut during Sunday's Guinness Six Nations clash with Italy as part of six personnel changes to Andy Farrell's starting XV.

The selection of the in-form Ulster full-back brings to an end Hugo Keenan's run of 18 consecutive Test starts.

James Lowe, Robbie Henshaw, Dan Sheehan, Ryan Baird and Peter O'Mahony also come into the team beaten 30-24 by France in round two.

Fit-again captain Johnny Sexton has to settle for a place among the replacements, while lock James Ryan has been ruled out by adductor issue, meaning flanker O'Mahony will skipper the side.

Joey Carbery has retained the number 10 jersey ahead of the influential Sexton, who has overcome the minor hamstring issue which kept him sidelined in Paris.

Hooker Sheehan and lock Baird make maiden Six Nations starts due to the injury absences of Ronan Kelleher and Ryan in an otherwise unchanged front five.

Andrew Porter continues at loosehead prop, with Leinster team-mate Tadhg Furlong carrying on at tighthead, ahead of the new second-row pairing of Baird and Tadhg Beirne.

In the back row, Caelan Doris switches to the centre, with O'Mahony coming in at blindside and Josh Van Der Flier continuing at openside, pushing Jack Conan to the bench.

Lowe has been restored on the left wing after injury ruled him out of the opening win over Wales and subsequent loss to Les Bleus, meaning Mack Hansen moves across to the right in place of Andrew Conway.

British and Irish Lion Henshaw has been preferred to Bundee Aki at inside centre and will partner Garry Ringrose in midfield, behind scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park.

Craig Casey is selected ahead of Conor Murray as the back-up number nine and is joined on the bench by Sexton, Conan, Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Kieran Treadwell and James Hume.

As for Italy, head coach Kieran Crowley has made three changes to his starting XV for the Six Nations meeting.

The Azzurri travel to the Aviva Stadium seeking to end a run of 34 consecutive defeats in the tournament following their 33-0 loss to England in round two.

Pierre Bruno will make his Six Nations debut on the right wing, while centre Leonardo Marin has been handed his maiden championship start, with Giovanni Pettinelli coming in at blindside flanker.

Benetton pair Marco Zanon and Braam Steyn move to the bench. Bordeaux wing Federico Mori drops out of the matchday squad.

Italy began the competition with a 37-10 loss to France in Paris, before being heavily beaten by Eddie Jones' side in Rome last time out..

Ireland: 15. Michael Lowry, 14. Mack Hansen, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. James Lowe, 10. Joey Carbery, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park, 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Tadhg Beirne, 5. Ryan Baird, 6. Peter O’Mahony (capt), 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris.

Replacements: 16. Rob Herring, 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. Kieran Treadwell, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Craig Casey, 22. Johnny Sexton, 23. James Hume.

Italy: 15. Edoardo Padovani, 14. Pierre Bruno, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Leonardo Marin, 11. Monty Ioane, 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Stephen Varney, 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Gianmarco Lucchesi, 3. Pietro Ceccarelli, 4. Niccolò Cannone, 5. Federico Ruzza, 6. Giovanni Pettinelli, 7. Michele Lamaro (capt), 8. Toa Halafihi.

Replacements: 16. Epalahame Faiva, 17. Ivan Nemer, 18. Tiziano Pasquali, 19. David Sisi, 20. Manuel Zuliani, 21. Braam Steyn, 22. Alessandro Fusco, 23. Marco Zanon.

Who is the Ireland v Italy referee?

Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)

Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Carley (RFU)

Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (RFU)

TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)

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