Italian job.

Rhys Ruddock looks set to captain Ireland this weekend in a new look side to take on Italy at Soldier Field in Chicago, according to a report in The Irish Times

The Leinster flanker captained Ireland on their summer tour last year, but has missed the last couple of squads through injury. He looks set to be joined in the back-row by fellow Leinster men Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan.

Elsewhere Luke McGrath is poised to join Joey Carbery in the halfbacks, while Jordan Larmour is in line for a start at fullback with Andrew Conway and Jacob Stockdale on the wings. Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki are expected to partner in midfield.

In-form Munster lock Tadhg Beirne is also set to start in the second-row alongside Connacht’s Quinn Roux.

Ireland (possible): J Larmour; A Conway, G Ringrose, B Aki, J Stockdale; J Carbery, L McGrath; J McGrath, N Scannell, A Porter; T Beirne, Q Roux; R Ruddock, J van der Flier, J Conan.