Andrew Porter and Tadhg Beirne, who were criticised by France head coach Fabien Galthie for their part in Antoine Dupont’s season-ending injury, are retained in the Irish pack.
Galthie reported both players to the match’s citing commissioner, but no action has been taken against them, and Porter later dismissed the coach’s claim of foul play.
But lock McCarthy drops to the bench after being yellow-carded for cynically pulling back Thomas Ramos, resulting in the penalty from which France scored their opening try.
Easterby reverts to a five-three split of forwards and backs on the bench after opting for a six-two against France. Gus McCarthy and Jack Boyle join Furlong, McCarthy and O’Mahony as forwards cover, while Bundee Aki is the third backline replacement alongside Murray and Prendergast.
Lowe, a last-minute withdrawal from the France game because of a back spasm, returns on the left wing as Hansen is reinstated on the right after recovering from a quad problem.
Calvin Nash and Jamie Osborne, the starting wings against France, drop out of the squad.
“While there was disappointment with certain aspects of our performance last weekend, we are thankful for the chance to get back on the horse this week.
“We’ve shown our resilience in recent years and I have no reason to believe that the game in Rome this weekend will be any different.”
