Six Nations: Payne, Zebo in for Ireland vs Italy

By foxsports
Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:56 p.m. ET

DUBLIN (AP) Ireland reshaped its backline for the Six Nations match against Italy on Saturday, recalling fit-again center Jared Payne and replacing injured fullback Rob Kearney with Simon Zebo.

Seeking a first win in their defense of the title, the Irish chose against moving Payne to fullback to allow Stuart McCloskey to continue in midfield.

Instead, McCloskey made way for Payne and Zebo slotted in at No. 15, with Kearney failing to recover from a hamstring injury.

The rest of the team announced Thursday was unchanged from the 21-10 loss to England that left Ireland with three straight losses and no chance of retaining the title.

Ireland has only lost once to Italy in Dublin, a 37-29 defeat in 1997.