It was their first success against Les Bleus since the 2003 championship and has ratcheted up expectation levels of a first title for 24 years.

Even a Grand Slam is being talked up with eyes drifting to the tournament climax against Wales in Cardiff, a potential decider for the clean sweep.

Italy are not expected to knock the Irish off their stride, but head coach Declan Kidney has taken no risks with his team selection by naming the same side that toppled France.

Kidney trumpeted the need to build his squad when he took over last summer but that policy is being abandoned as Ireland bid to claim only the nation's second Grand Slam.

Paddy Wallace has held off the challenge of Gordon D'Arcy to retain his place at inside centre while hooker Jerry Flannery has recovered from his shoulder 'stinger'.

Italy will be smarting from their 36-11 defeat by England, but with fly-half Andrea Marcato and second row Marco Bortolami injured they face an uphill battle at the Stadio Flaminio.

Head coach Nick Mallett has abandoned his costly experiment of playing Mauro Bergamasco at scrum-half, instead restoring the Stade Francais forward at openside.

Paul Griffen returns at nine following a 16-month absence through injury while Luke McLean joins him at half back in place of Marcato.