Ireland v Italy

Ireland hooker Shane Byrne hopes to emerge from the shadow of injured captain Keith Wood against Italy in Dublin tomorrow, nine years after his first call-up to the international squad.

Byrne, 30, did not win his first cap until last summer against Romania and three substitute appearances have followed.

His throwing in to the line-out has given him the nod ahead of Wood's previous deputy, Frankie Sheahan. Diego Dominguez is back in the Italian team after missing the defeat by Wales because of a groin strain suffered playing for Stade Francais.

However, No8 Carlo Checchinato is out after failing to recover from a thigh injury and Dennis Dallan has suffered a similar injury, although he insists: "I know myself well, I know it is only fatigue. Tomorrow I will be 100 per cent."

(Live on BBC1, kick-off 2pm)