Lo Cicero injured

The experienced Lo Cicero is replaced by Salvatore Perugini of Toulouse.

His absence is further blow for coach Pierre Berbizier who is also missing injured centre Gonzalo Canale and suspended flanker Mauro Bergamasco.

Canale suffered a thigh injury in the victory over Wales last weekend and is replaced by Overmach's Ezio Galon, who will partner Mirco Bergamasco in the Italian midfield.

The talismanic Mauro Bergamasco is suspended for a punch last weekend on Wales skipper Stephen Jones and his place is taken by Maurizio Zaffiri of Calvisano.

The good news for Berbizier is that Treviso centre Matteo Barbini and Viadana flanker Josh Sole have proved their fitness and will start on the bench in Rome.

At fly-half, Berbizier has once again opted for Ramiro Pez, with Andrea Scanavacca on the bench.

Italy will be looking to win an unprecedented third win in a single Six Nations tournament following their victories over Scotland and Wales.

Ireland, meanwhile, will be aiming to secure the Six Nations title with a comprehensive victory in Rome.

Team: Roland De Marigny (Calvisano); Kaine Robertson (Arix Viadana), Ezio Galon (Overmach Cariparma), Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Francais), Matteo Pratichetti (Calvisano); Ramiro Pez (Bayonne), Alessandro Troncon (Clermont); Salvatore Perugini (Toulouse), Carlo Festuccia (Gran Parma), Carlos Nieto (Gloucester); Santiago Dellape (Biarritz), Marco Bortolami (Gloucester, capt), Alessandro Zanni (Calvisano), Maurizio Zaffiri (Calvisano), Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais).

Replacements: Leonardo Ghiraldini (Calvisano), Fabio Staibano (Overmach Parma), Valerio Bernabo (Calvisano), Josh Sole (Arix Viadana), Paul Griffen (Calvisano), Andrea Scanavacca (Calvisano), Matteo Barbini (Treviso).