Michael Lowry’s size can work in his favour as opposed to being a disadvantage for Ireland, says head coach Andy Farrell.
The Ulster full-back has been given the nod for his first cap in Sunday's Guinness Six Nations match against Italy in Dublin (3pm).
Standing 5’ 7" and weighing in at 11st 10lbs, according to the official Irish Rugby profile, 23-year-old Lowry comes in for regular starter Hugo Keenan, who is being rested after 18 successive Test starts.
The Belfast man has been in the form of his life for Ulster, registering three tries in four Champions Cup games this season.
Asked if his diminutive stature would be an issue in international rugby, Farrell said: "No, it’s never been a problem.
"It’s actually a nightmare for somebody like me, if I was playing against him.
"I think his size is an added bonus for him. I think it makes him an absolute nightmare for people to handle.
"Since his first day at Ulster, he hasn’t grown, has he, since then but he’s certainly got braver, more dynamic, more game awareness, more game sense.
"He’s able to play the game in many different ways. He’s explosive, hits a line, is brave, so we’re hoping he can be himself on Sunday."
Former dual-code England international Farrell has taken his chance to mix up selection for the visit of the perennial wooden spoon recipients, making six changes to the side that fell to a 30-24 defeat to France in Paris.
The matchday squad features eight players with less than ten caps, with fit-again Johnny Sexton having to make do with a spot on the bench.
"We’ve always been about the squad and always thought about the different permutations that happen constantly during the eight weeks of a Six Nations," said Farrell, who also handed first championship starts to Dan Sheehan and Ryan Baird in the forwards.
"It’s always going to come to a point where you need to rely on your squad.
"This is the most important game of the tournament because it is the next one for us.
"Any Test match we play, especially in the Six Nations, we expect to be at our best.
"Yes, there are one or two changes, one or two forced and one or two opportunities, bits of what is looking at us coming down the track and people who need game-time etc.
"But that’s not to say for one second that we don’t expect to be anything but being our best. That’s our expectation and that’s how the lads feel about it.
How important might this try-saving tackle be? @IrishRugby hooker Dan Sheehan on the technique - full interview on the latest #RTERugby podcast https://t.co/6reUQRxaKF pic.twitter.com/6zow8dntHU
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) February 16, 2022
"More of the same [from Dan Sheehan]. I think he has started his international career exceptionally well.
"We've seen his point of difference in his speed, agility, athleticism, his footwork, his fight.
"I've been very impressed with his calm manner with regards to his set-piece, etc so he will have learned a lot from the last week and he'll be excited about the task ahead this weekend.
"Ryan’s been around the group for a long time now, he’s come off the bench and looked very dangerous.
"It’s a different dynamic for Ryan starting a game and I’m sure he’s going to grab it with both hands.
"He’s determined like the rest of them to show everyone what he’s got so he gets his opportunity."
Farrell’s charges are 39-point favourites for the tie and it would take the biggest upset in Six Nations history were Italy to end their 34-game losing streak.
A tougher test of the team’s title credentials will come against England in Twickenham in two weeks’ time and Farrell didn’t deny that the players selected for Sunday's game are auditioning for that match, too.
He said: "Well, every time you put an Irish jersey on, of course, you’re under the microscope from the fans, from you guys, but more importantly from us who’s in the group and that’s the type of pressure we try to put on each and every day in training as well.
"Again these guys that take the field deserve the chance and I’m sure that they’re excited to show what they’ve got.
"[This team is] quick, I think it's got skill, I think it's growing in its knowledge of how we want to play.
"It's got a calmness about it that's getting better and better, which means that we're hopefully going to be more accurate.
"As individuals, they're learning all the time and as a group, they're coming together more cohesively.
"We know from recent results how people have had it really tough against Italy.
"We know from the not too distant past that if you don't approach the game in the right manner, then you can come away with egg on your face."
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Follow all of Ireland's Six Nations games via our live blogs on rte.ie/sport and on the RTÉ News App or listen to live radio coverage on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch live coverage of England v Wales on Saturday 26 Feb (4pm) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Highlights on Against the Head, Mondays, 8pm.
