The injury worry concerning Girvan Dempsey meant that the Ireland selectors were unable to finalise their starting line-up at the lunchtime press conference today. John Kelly will travel with the side to Italy and if Dempsey fails to be passed fit Geordan Murphy will go to full-back and Kelly will play on the right wing.

Paul Burke remains as back-up to David Humphreys as Ronan O'Gara's ankle injury continues to keep him out of contention.

Girvan Dempsey/Geordan Murphy; Geordan Murphy/John Kelly, Brian O'Driscoll capt., Kevin Maggs, Denis Hickie; David Humphreys , Peter Stringer; Reggie Corrigan, Shane Byrne, John Hayes; Gary Longwell, Malcolm O'Kelly; Victor Costello, Keith Gleeson, Anthony Foley.

Replacements: Frank Sheahan, Marcus Horan, Leo Cullen, Alan Quinlan, Guy Easterby, Paul Burke, Rob Henderson.