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Rugby World Cup | Group Stage
Oct 4, 2015 at 4.45pm UK
 
Ireland
16-9
Italy
Earls (19')
FT

Ireland's Robbie Henshaw to make Rugby World Cup debut against Italy

Ireland's Robbie Henshaw will make his Rugby World Cup debut against Italy on Sunday as he partners Keith Earls at centre.

Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw will make his World Cup debut against Italy on Sunday at London's Olympic Stadium.

The Connacht player missed the first two Pool D matches due to injury, but has been passed fit for this weekend.

However, it is bad news for Rob Kearney and Jared Payne as they have failed to prove their fitness for the match due to a mild muscle strain and bruised foot respectively.

Keith Earls will partner Henshaw at centre, while Simon Zebo has entered the fold at full-back.

Ireland team to face Italy:

15. Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster), 14. Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), 13. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), 12. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht), 11. Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster), 10. Johnny Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster), 9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), 1. Jack McGrath (St Mary's College/Leinster), 2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), 3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster), 4. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster), 5. Paul O'Connell (Young Munster) captain, 6. Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster), 7. Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster), 8. Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster)

Replacements: 16. Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster), 17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), 18. Nathan White (Connacht), 19. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster), 20. Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster), 21. Eoin Reddan (Old Crescent/Leinster), 22. Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster), 23. Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)

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