Ireland U-21 coach Mark McDermott has made two changes to the side that demolished Leinster A 40-12 last month, ahead of his opening Six Nations game with Italy this Friday night.
Outhalf Jonathan Sexton returns to the line-up, relocating his deputy for last month’s game Conan Doyle to the centre in place of Fergus McFadden, who will take a place on the bench.
Winger Peter Durcan moves from right to left to accommodate Bristol Shoguns winger Matthew Williams.
Hooker Stuart Philpott of Belfast Harlequins will captain the side.
Speaking ahead of the game McDermott said the U-21 side expects much the same as the senior side does from their opponents on Saturday.
"I think Italy is well up there with all the top sides at this level with their physicality, but in saying that, they also have a bit of flair to add to it," he said.
"Our approach will be to try and get put our patterns in place early on and then play from there. I think we started to reach the levels we wanted during our last game, so hopefully we can hit the ground running on Friday night."
McDermott’s side will kick-off against Italy at 7.35pm at Dubarry Park in Athlone.
15. Fionn Carr (Blackrock College)
14. Matthew Williams (Bristol Shoguns/Hartpury College)
13. Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins)
12. Conan Doyle (Garryowen)
11. Peter Durcan (Galwegians)
10. Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College)
9. Paul Marshall (Ballynahinch)
1. Darragh Hurley (UCC)
2. Stuart Philpott (Belfast Harlequins) Captain
3. Paul Doran-Jones (Dublin University)
4. Devin Toner (Lansdowne)
5. Daniel Touhy (Gloucester/Hartpury College)
6. Ross Noonan (UCC)
7. Ejike Uzoigwe (Hartpury College)
8. Billy Holland (UCC)
Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (Shannon)
17. Callum Black (Worcester Warriors/Hartpury College)
18. David McGowan (Buccaneers)
19. Sean O'Brien (UCD)
20. Duncan Williams (UCC)
21. Tom Gleeson (Cork Con)
22. Fergus McFadden (UCD)
