Former Clonmel RFC player Niamh Briggs will lead out the Irish team for the first time on Friday night as they open their Six Nations campaign.
Coach Tom Tierney has included just one uncapped player in the starting 15 for their meeting with Italy.
Leinster's Hannah Tyrrell will make her debut on the wing.
There's 5 uncapped players on an a largely inexperienced bench.
Full back Briggs was named as Ireland's captain for the 2015 Six Nations in the wake of Fiona Coghlans retirement.
