The 34-year-old O’Gara did enough last time out in the 62-12 rout of Russia to keep his place at fly-half while Murray returns after starting the men in green’s first game of the tournament against the USA.

And Kidney has denied that goal kicking played any role in the decision to select O’Gara over the younger Sexton.

“Ronan and Conor went well in the last 20 minutes against Australia. Ronan went well against Russia as well," he said.

"This is the right combination for us against Italy. They've played a few times together now. Ronan has been place kicking well, but if Jonathan Sexton was starting on Sunday it wouldn't worry me.

"I'd hate to go down the road that we're picking Ronan because of his place kicking. He's too good a player to be saying that about him while Jonny's place kicking is not of concern to me."

Elsewhere captain Brian O’Driscoll returns to partner Gordon D’Arcy in the centres forcing a switch to left wing for Keith Earls with Tommy Bowe slotting in on the opposite wing.

In the forwards Kidney has named his first-choice front row in the form of Cian Healy, Rory Best and Mike Ross while Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan pack down at second row.

The back row reunites the three men who played such a pivotal role in their 15-6 shock win over Australia, Stephen Ferris, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip.

Ireland team to face Italy:

15. Rob Kearney – Leinster
14. Tommy Bowe – Ospreys
13. Brian O’Driscoll – Leinster
12. Gordon D’Arcy – Leinster
11. Keith Earls – Munster
10. Ronan O’Gara – Munster
9. Conor Murray – Munster
1. Cian Healy - Leinster
2. Rory Best - Ulster
3. Mike Ross - Leinster
4. Donncha O’Callaghan - Munster
5. Paul O’Connell - Munster
6. Stephen Ferris - Ulster
7. Sean O’Brien - Leinster
8. Jamie Heaslip – Leinster

Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin – Leinster
17. Tom Court – Ulster
18. Donnacha Ryan – Munster
19. Denis Leamy – Munster
20. Eoin Reddan – Leinster
21. Jonathan Sexton – Leinster
22. Andrew Trimble - Ulster