Italy make changes for clash against Ireland

Italy head coach Conor O'Shea has made four changes to his squad for the upcoming Six Nations clash against Ireland at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

Angelo Esposito returns to the right wing replacing Giulio Bisegni, who is out of the matchday 23 while Leonardo Ghiraldini returns back as hooker taking the place Ornel Gega as he moves to the bench.

Maxime Mbanda will switch to blindside with Simone Favaro taking position at openside pushing Abraham Steyn on the bench.

"I'm sure that this is the right group to move towards the future but in order to change mentality and improve we need to play, go through difficult moments and positive moments, earn experience," O'Shea told Italy's official website while announcing the squad.

"I know that in the next two or three years someone will laugh at and will not agree with me, but we'll become a really effective squad."

Italy squad to take on Ireland:

Edoardo Padovani, Angelo Esposito, Tommaso Benvenuti, Luke Mclean, Giovanbattista Venditti, Carlo Canna, Edoardo Gori, Sergio Parisse, Simone Favaro, Maxime Mbanda, Andries Van Schalkwyk, Marco Fuser, Lorenzo Cittadini, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Andrea Lovotti

Replacements: Ornel Gega, Sami Panico, Dario Chistolini, George Biagi, Abraham Steyn, Giorgio Bronzini, Tommaso Allan, Michele Campagnaro.

Our 6 Nations cover is sponsored by Allett Mowers