Jonathan Sexton has withdrawn from the  Ireland team for the Italygame due to injury. The withdrawal comes less than two hours after Declan Kidney named the Leinster kicker in his starting lineup for Saturday’s game with Italy. Sexton was returning from a three week layoff, due to a torn hamstring picked up in the England game.

An IRFU statement said: "A scan has confirmed that he has torn a tendon in his left foot and is therefore ruled out this weekend."

The IRFU announced earlier that Ian Madigan would travel with the squad to Rome as cover for Sexton - in addition to named replacement Paddy Jackson - as Sexton had gone over on his foot during training but was still expected to be fit to play.

Initially it was thought the injury would not keep Sexton from starting Saturday’s Six Nations game, however a scan today revealed a torn tendon in his foot.

Paddy Jackson will now return to the starting line-up, having started the last two games at number 10.