An Ireland Under 21 side that includes four Munster players in the starting line-up and three more on the bench kicks off the international week-end with a game against Italy this evening in Athlone's Dubarry Park (7.35pm).

Garryowen's Conan Doyle is joined in the starting XV by UCC trio Daragh Hurley, Ross Noonan and Billy Holland who is son of Munster senior squad manager, the former international Jerry.

IRELAND: F Carr (Blackrock College); M Williams (Bristol Shoguns/Hartpury College), D Cave (Belfast Harlequins), C Doyle (Garryowen), P Durcan (Galwegians); J Sexton (St Mary's College), P Marshall (Ballynahinch); D Hurley (UCC), S Philpott (Belfast Harlequins, capt), P Doran-Jones (Dublin University), Devin Toner (Lansdowne); D Tuohy (Gloucester/Hartpury College); R Noonan (UCC), E Uzoigwe (Hartpury College), B Holland (UCC). Replacements: S Cronin (Shannon), C Black (Worcester Warriors/Hartpury College), D McGowan (Buccaneers), S O'Brien (UCD), D Williams (UCC), T Gleeson (Cork Con), F McFadden (UCD).

ITALY: Robuschi; Varani, Neethling, Patrizio, Sepe; Brussolo, Semenzato; Giazzon, Vicere, Muccignat; Tveraga, Saccardo; Derbyshire, Cattina, Pelizzari. Replacements: Ceccato, Giovanchelli, Michelini, Rendace, Barbieri, Billot, Ceccato.