Andy Farrell says Johnny Sexton agrees with his decision to start Joey Carbery against Italy on Sunday.
The head coach has opted to leave his captain, who missed the loss to France with a hamstring injury, in reserve and hands 26-year-old Carbery his second Guinness Six Nations start for the Aviva Stadium meeting with the Azzurri (3pm).
"Joey stepped in very late last week in that Johnny got injured on the last training day of the week," said Farrell.
"He obviously didn't get a full week to prepare, to run the side, he gets that opportunity this week on the back of a good performance.
"After analsying the performance, Joey would admit to you himself that he would love the opportunity to put a few things right and add to that performance and add to his experience at this level so it just makes sense.
"And the person that agrees with that is Johnny. He’s the captain of the side, you know, he wants what’s best for the team as well.
"Back-to-back Test matches is a great experience for anyone, especially someone in a pivotal position like fly-half.
"Joey handled the occasion very well last week. There’s a lot that he’s learned from the game and he is ready to put that into action this week."
Farrell has made six changes to the side that lost in Paris, among them is a debut for Ulster full-back Michael Lowry.
"We’re all excited to see him get his chance. He deserves it," he said.
"He came into camp first and foremost over the summer as a stand-in and he performed very well in training under pressure then and since and you can see it has whetted his appetite.
"You can see it in his performances for Ulster but more importantly we have seen it under pressure here in camp which is sometimes far and away the most extreme pressure that the lads can be put under.
"Lads like Mikey deserve the chance because they have shown everyone they are ready.
"He is comfortable in his own skin; he is able to be himself under extreme pressure and it is tough, like I have always said, coming into camp, especially when you have not got a camp and are new to the group, you have new calls to learn.
"You have to learn all the intricacies that go on in a group, in a backline, in a back three. And he is unbelievably thorough in his preparation.
"Therefore he is comfortable in his skin to play and perform at a high level of competition in training as we have seen time and time again for Ulster. So we believe he is ready."
Dropping out of the match-day squad altogether are James Ryan, Bundee Aki, Andrew Conway, Conor Murray and Hugo Keenan, with Farrell confirming that Ryan (adductor) is the only player not considered due to injury.
Rónan Kelleher, Iain Henderson and Keith Earls had been ruled out of contention earlier.
Farrell said: "Bundee has had a few niggles that he needs to rest to get fit for the rest of the campaign.
"Andrew Conway is very similar, he has had a few aches and pains and needs a bit of rest time; that rest will do those two good for the remaining fixtures of the campaign.
"Iain Henderson, as we know, has Covid; Rónan has his shoulder, Keith Earls, other than that we have a fit enough squad."
🔵#Italrugby
— Italrugby (@Federugby) February 25, 2022
Il XV Azzurro in campo domenica per #IREvITA ☘ 🇮🇹, terzo turno del @sixnationsrugby 2022 ➡ https://t.co/8n9W9BO0KV
27 febbraio, kick off ore 16 (ITA)
📍 Aviva Stadium, Dublino
📺 @SkySport Arena ▪ #SkySport 1 ▪ @tv8it#insieme #rugbypassioneitaliana pic.twitter.com/BXcJhRTCOb
Italy are massive outsiders to cause an upset as they try to break a 34-game losing run.
"I can see that Italy are trying to play a little bit of a different game as well and with their selection bringing in two ball players [Paolo Garbisi and Leonardo Marin] to 10 and 12," said Farrell of Kieran Crowley's selection.
"And the way that we have seen them at the start of the competition in poor conditions in Paris and then different conditions in Rome against England.
"They love throwing the ball around so they are excited about where they are going as well.
"At the same time it is about making sure that we get our ducks in a row and get off to the start we want and play at the tempo we want and be accurate and disciplined in our own game."
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