{"id":17414,"date":"2020-10-21T10:52:13","date_gmt":"2020-10-21T14:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=17414"},"modified":"2020-10-21T12:53:35","modified_gmt":"2020-10-21T16:53:35","slug":"will-connors-and-hugo-keenan-to-make-test-debuts-for-ireland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=17414","title":{"rendered":"Will Connors And Hugo Keenan To Make Test Debuts For Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Flanker Will Connors and winger Hugo Keenan will make their Test debuts when Ireland host Italy in Saturday\u2019s Six Nations clash in Dublin.<\/p>\n

The uncapped Ed Byrne and scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park are also in line for their Test debuts off the bench at the Aviva Stadium.<\/p>\n

Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose have fought off the intense competition at center to forge Ireland\u2019s midfield duo, while Conor Murray has kept his place at nine.<\/p>\n

Johnny Sexton is fit to captain head coach Andy Farrell\u2019s team from fly-half, with the 35-year-old having shaken off recent hamstring troubles.<\/p>\n

Leinster back-rower Connors had been earmarked to feature against Italy in the build-up to the original match\u2019s March 7 schedule.<\/p>\n

The coronavirus pandemic-enforced delay to the tournament had put the 24-year-old\u2019s chances of a Test debut against the Azzurri in doubt, however.<\/p>\n

But now Ireland boss Farrell has handed the in-form flanker his chance to impress, with the seasoned British and Irish Lions star Peter O\u2019Mahony on the bench as cover.<\/p>\n

Caelan Doris and the dependable CJ Stander complete the new-look back row.<\/p>\n

Leinster wing Keenan also steps in for his Test bow, in a back-three shorn of Jordan Larmour, who faces up to 16 weeks on the sidelines after dislocating his shoulder.<\/p>\n

James Lowe has been training with Ireland but the 28-year-old does not qualify on residency until November.<\/p>\n

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