Bizarre.

Italy have named their team that will take on Ireland at Soldier Field in Chicago – a full 10 days in advance of the fixture.

Exeter Chiefs centre Michele Campagnaro will captain the side, while former Leinster outhalf Ian McKinley will get an opportunity to go up against his home nation, having been named on the bench.

Ireland will play the Azzurri at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday week,  before returning to Dublin to play Argentina, New Zealand and the USA at the Aviva Stadium.

Schmidt is expected to name his Ireland squad later today.