British and Irish Lions

Ireland have suffered a blow on the eve of their RBS 6 Nations Championship match against rejuvenated Italy in Rome with the loss of inspirational full-back Girvan Dempsey.

Coach Eddie O'Sullivan was forced into a re-shuffle of his back division after the Leinster player failed a fitness test on a groin strain he first felt in his side's Heineken Cup clash with Bristol last month.

Leicester utility back Geordan Murphy, pencilled in to replace injured winger Shane Horgan, will move to full-back - and Munster's John Kelly will win his eighth cap on the right flank.

"He just didn't make it, but we hope he'll be all right for the French game," said Ireland team manager Brian O'Brien.

Ireland team to play Italy in Rome:

Backs: G Murphy (Leicester); J Kelly (Munster), B O'Driscoll (Leinster, capt), K Maggs (Bath), D Hickie (Leinster); D Humphries (Ulster), P Stringer (Munster).

Forwards: R Corrigan (Leinster), S Byrne (Leinster), J Hayes (Munster), G Longwell (Ulster), M O'Kelly (Leinster), V Costello (Leinster), K Gleeson (Leinster), A Foley (Munster).

Replacements: F Sheahan (Munster), M Horan (Munster), L Cullen (Leinster), A Quinlan (Munster), G Easterby (Llanelli), P Burke (Harlequins), R Henderson (Munster).

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.

Tom Youngs has enjoyed a remarkable rise to the top of the British & Irish game but he won't be resting on his laurels ahead of his first Lions adventure.