Jack Crowley has been handed his first start of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations for Ireland's round-five clash with Italy on Saturday, while Tadhg Furlong is named on the bench.
Munster out-half Crowley replaces Sam Prendergast, who started all four games so far.
Prop Furlong is set to make his first appearance of the championship after recovering from a calf / hamstring injury.
Simon Easterby's side, who lost 42-27 to France last weekend remain in contention for the title but would need to beat Italy (2.15pm, live on RTÉ) and for other results to go their way.
Les Bleus, who host Scotland on Saturday night, top the table and are favourites to take the title.
Hugo Keenan starts at full-back, with wingers James Lowe and Mack Hansen returning to the back three after missing the loss to France through injury.
Robbie Henshaw partners Garry Ringrose, who returns from suspension, in midfield, while Crowley comes into the team at out-half alongside Jamison Gibson-Park at scrum-half.
In the pack, there is an unchanged front row as Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Finlay Bealham start, with James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne named in the engine room.
Jack Conan is named at blindside flanker, Josh van der Flier is at openside and captain Caelan Doris completes the Ireland XV at number 8.
The fit-again Furlong is in line for his first appearance since January off the bench, joining forwards Gus McCarthy, Jack Boyle, Joe McCarthy and Peter O’Mahony among the replacements, as scrum-half Conor Murray, Sam Prendergast and Bundee Aki provide the backline reinforcements for Ireland.
Easterby said: "We have freshened things up a little this week in selection and it’s a great boost to welcome back some players from injury, alongside others who have patiently waited in the wings for their chance to start.
"We’re aware of Italy’s many threats and we know from experience that travelling to Rome presents a serious challenge, so the squad understands its responsibilities.
"While there was disappointment with certain aspects of our performance last weekend, we are thankful for the chance to get back on the horse this week.
"We've shown our resilience in recent years and I have no reason to believe that the game in Rome this weekend will be any different.
"The attitude of the players has been spot on since we gathered on Sunday evening, and you can sense a determination amongst everyone to give their best performance of the campaign.
"That’s both the challenge and the opportunity that faces us this week.
"A lot has been made about the various permutations at play, and it certainly makes for a dramatic day of international rugby. Our primary focus is on our performance and we are determined to finish our campaign on a positive note."
Meanwhile Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada (below) has dropped captain Michele Lamaro, among seven changes from the defeat to England.
Lamaro has started the last 24 Six Nations matches but the flanker has been replaced by Manuel Zuliani, who came off the bench in the last four games and last started a Six Nations fixture last year against Ireland.
Centre Juan Ignacio Brex takes over as captain for the second time, having previously done so in November against New Zealand when Lamaro was out injured.
With Matt Gallagher suffering a knee injury on his Six Nations debut last Sunday, Ange Capuozzo returns to the wing, which brings Tommaso Allan back into the side at fullback.
Scrumhalf Martin Page-Relo comes back in, replacing Stephen Varney while Lorenzo Cannone retakes the number eight shirt from Ross Vintcent who scored a try against England.
There are two changes in the front row, Gianmarco Lucchesi and Simone Ferrari coming in for Giacomo Nicotera and Marco Riccioni, while lock Dino Lamb replaces Niccolo Cannone.
Additional repporting: Reuters
Italy: Tommaso Allan; Ange Capuozzo, Juan Ignacio Brex (capt), Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Martin Page-Relo; Danilo Fischetti, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Simone Ferrari; Dino Lamb, Federico Ruzza; Sebastian Negri, Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone
Replacements: Giacomo Nicotera, Mirco Spagnolo, Giosue Zilocchi, Niccolo Cannone, Michele Lamaro, Ross Vintcent, Stephen Varney, Leonardo Marin
Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Finlay Bealham; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne; Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).
Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Jack Boyle, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, Sam Prendergast, Bundee Aki.
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