They provide 11 of the Ireland XV plus four of the eight replacements to reflect their fine form in the Heineken Champions Cup, where they were the leading qualifier for the last 16.

Fly-half Johnny Sexton returns to captain the Ireland side and partners Leinster team-mate Jamison Gibson-Park in the half-backs.

This completes an all-Leinster line-up in the backs, with centre Robbie Henshaw winning his 50th cap for Ireland, fellow centre Garry Ringrose, full-back Hugo Keenan and left wing James Lowe also retaining their places, and Jordan Larmour being recalled on the right wing.

A new front-row combination brings together Leinster hooker Ronan Kelleher and prop Tadgh Furlong alongside Munster Rugby prop Dave Kilcoyne, while Leinster’s James Ryan returns to the second row.

The back row, by contrast, comprises two Munster players in blindside flanker Tadgh Beirne and No.8 CJ Stander and one from Leinster in openside flanker Will Connors.

The replacements for the weekend include Leinster quartet Cian Healy, Andrew Porter, Jack Conan and Ryan Baird, as well as Munster duo Keith Earls and Craig Casey. Lock Baird and scrum-half Casey are uncapped.

Four-time European champions Leinster Rugby dominate the Ireland matchday squad for their Guinness 6 Nations game with Italy in Rome on Saturday.