Six Nations 2018: Jordan Larmour poised for Ireland debut but Joe Schmidt sticks with Johnny Sexton against Italy

The 20-year-old is set to make his international debut off the replacements' bench this Saturday but Sexton will not be rested against Italy as Schmidt prepares for Ireland's Six Nations title tilt

Jordan Larmour could win his first cap for Ireland against Italy this weekend (PA)

Joe Schmidt has made four changes to his Ireland side, all in the forwards, for this Saturday’s visit of Italy, but it is the inclusion of uncapped Leinster back Jordan Larmour that will add an extra sense of excitement at the Aviva Stadium.

The 20-year-old only made his Leinster debut earlier this season and scored a remarkable try in his first derby against Ulster, and Schmidt has given Larmour his full backing to step up to the international stage in what is still his first season in professional rugby – albeit from the replacements – despite his inexperience.

"I expect Jordan to provide what he's been providing in the provincial matches so far, that raw acceleration and the ability to beat players," said Schmidt. "And without the ball he wants to make a big contribution too.

"It's a good situation that he could potentially slot in around experienced players, but at the same time, you don't place a player and expect them to be looked after.

"He has an expectation that he'll look after himself and look after what he needs to do and bring those exciting elements I talked about to the game."

Larmour will provide cover for both wings and the full-back position and will join his fellow Leinster teammate, Joey Carbery, in offering a glimpse towards the future of Irish rugby. Unlike Larmour, Carbery has made his Irish debut, which came in the historic 40-29 victory over New Zealand in October 2016 as he came off the bench to help see out the final 20 minutes.

But Schmidt is reluctant to rotate Carbery with British and Irish fly-half Johnny Sexton, not because of his doubts over Carbery, but because he wants to keep Sexton match fit ahead of the ensuing ties with Wales and Scotland due to the fallow week that follows this weekend’s second round.

"One of the great things about the Six Nations at the moment is that it's played over seven weeks," said Schmidt, making reference to the proposed plan by the Rugby Football Union to shorten the tournament by at least a week that has been dismissed.

"If Johnny didn't start this week and didn't play next weekend, then he would have two weekends when he wouldn't have played. So would that have been the best preparation for the next game? That's what you're always balancing.

"Joey (Carbery) could potentially play for Leinster next weekend, and he could get that exposure, potentially at 10, and that would be great for Joey, because he's had that period out [injured] and we want to manage that return back into the team."

With another rising Leinster star in lock James Ryan ruled out with a minor groin injury, Devin Toner is restored to the side, having lost his place last weekend to the 21-year-old who proved he has a long future ahead of him with a star performance against France.

Toner is joined in the pack by four other Leinster teammates, with Jack McGrath returning at loosehead prop in place of Cian Healy and both Dan Leavy and Jack Conan coming into the back-row. Munster No 8 CJ Stander is dropped to the bench following his gruelling slog last weekend in Paris in the 15-13 victory, while openside flanker Josh van der Flier has been ruled out of the rest of the season with a knee ligament injury.

Sexton remains in the team to keep him match fit for future clashes (Getty)

Tadhg Furlong retains his place at tighthead prop alongside captain Rory Best, with Iain Henderon joining Toner in the second row and Peter O’Mahony named at blindside flanker. Andrew Porter, another young prop coming off the Leinster production line, is in line for his Six Nations debut, taking the number of players in the match-day squad from the province to 13.

Ireland team to face Italy in Dublin on Saturday

R Kearney (Leinster), K Earls (Munster), R Henshaw (Leinster), B Aki (Connacht), J Stockdale (Ulster), J Sexton (Leinster), C Murray (Munster), J McGrath (Leinster), R Best (Ulster, capt), T Furlong (Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), D Toner (Leinster), P O'Mahony (Munster), D Leavy, J Conan (both Leinster).

Replacements: S Cronin, C Healy, A Porter (all Leinster), Q Roux (Connacht), CJ Stander (Munster), K Marmion (Connacht), J Carbery, J Larmour (both Leinster).