Andy Farrell is seemingly set to make five or six changes to his starting XV and some more on the bench for Ireland’s 2026 Six Nations round two game against Italy at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 2.10pm).
Mindful that this is the first of three successive games, with next week’s trek to Twickenham on the horizon where previously it would have been a rest week, if ever there was a cause to rotate the squad a little then it is for this round two game.
Rumours have been circulating since the beginning of the week that the Ulster pair of Cormac Izuchukwu and Robert Baloucoune could be promoted to the starting line-up at blindside flanker and right wing when the team is announced early on Thursday afternoon.
The…