The Leicester star lines up on the left wing for his first international appearance since breaking his leg during last Septembers World Cup warm-up clash with Scotland.

Tyrone Howe makes way for the highly-rated Tigers back - he also fails to make the bench - in the only change to the side which defeated England 19-13 at Twickenham.

Murphy revealed he did not expect to get the nod.

I was a little bit surprised when I heard the news. But Im feeling confident and have improved for Leicester over the three matches Ive played, said the 25-year-old.

Eddie asked if I was okay and told him I thought I was. Hes put his faith in me and Im really excited at the prospect of playing for Ireland again.

Peter Stringer has been given the green light to play at scrum-half after recovering from the damaged thumb he picked up against England, allowing him to continue his half-back partnership with Ronan OGara.

There are two changes on the bench with Munsters Marcus Horan, who has missed all three of Irelands RBS 6 Nations matches to date with a back injury, replacing Simon Best as front row cover.

Gary Longwell makes way for Donncha OCallaghan and Malcolm OKelly retains his place in the second row in what will be the Leinster forwards 63rd cap, equalling the record for an Irish lock set by legendary Willie John McBride.

Ireland team to play Italy at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, March 20 (1330):
G Dempsey (Leinster); S Horgan (Leinster), G DArcy (Leinster), B ODriscoll (Leinster, capt), G Murphy (Leicester); R OGara (Munster), P Stringer (Munster); R Corrigan (Leinster), S Byrne (Leinster), J Hayes (Munster), M OKelly (Leinster), P OConnell (Munster), S Easterby (Llanelli), K Gleeson (Leinster), A Foley (Munster).
Replacements: F Sheahan (Munster), M Horan (Munster), D OCallaghan (Munster), V Costello (Leinster), G Easterby (Rotherham), D Humphreys (Ulster), K Maggs (Bath).