Ireland ring the changes for final Euro 2016 group match with Italy

Mike Egerton Mike Egerton

- Ben Blake reports from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille 

IRELAND MANAGER Martin O’Neill has rotated his squad for tonight’s make-or-break Euro 2016 match against Italy (8pm kick-off Irish time).

The Boys in Green must claim victory at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy to avoid going out of the tournament, and O’Neill has freshened up his team after falling to a 3-0 defeat to Belgium.

There are four changes in total from that line-up as Shane Duffy, Richard Keogh come in at centre-half for Ciaran Clark and John O’Shea.

In for Glenn Whelan, James McClean is named in what looks to be four-man midfield with James McCarthy, Jeff Hendrick and Robbie Brady, while Daryl Murphy replaces Wes Hoolahan to partner Shane Long up front.

With O’Shea and Robbie Keane not starting, Seamus Coleman will skipper the side.

Ireland: Randolph; Coleman (c), Keogh, Duffy, Ward; McClean, Hendrick, McCarthy, Brady; Long, Murphy.

Italy: Sirigu; Barzagli, Bonucci, Ogbonna; Bernardeschi, Sturaro, Motta, Florenzi, De Sciligio; Zaza, Immobile.

What do you think of the starting line-up? 

Here’s who Ireland could face if they qualify for the last-16

French media: When it comes to its football fans, “Ireland is unified”