Head coach Noel McNamara has made seven changes to his Ireland Under-20s side to face Scotland at Donnybrook on Friday night.
Head coach Noel McNamara has made seven changes to his Ireland Under-20s side to face Scotland at Donnybrook on Friday night.
Props James French and Tom O’Toole make their first starts of the Championship, having both made three appearances from the replacements, and they join hooker Ronan Kelleher in the front-row.
Matthew Dalton returns from a stint with the Ulster senior squad to replace the injured Cormac Daly (shoulder). He lines up with Jack Dunne in the second-row.
There is also a change to the back-row, with Joe Dunleavy set to win his first Under-20s cap, alongside Matthew Agnew and Jack O’Sullivan.
Here’s the Ireland U20s side to face Scotland this Friday in Donnybrook.
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In the backs, scrum-half Hugh O’Sullivan gains his second start of the campaign and he will partner fly-half Harry Byrne.
In midfield, captain Tommy O’Brien reverts from the wing back to centre and partners Angus Curtis.
There are first Under-20s Six Nations starts for wings Mark Keane and Angus Kernohan, they line up in the back three with full-back Michael Silvester. The replacement hooker will be confirmed on Thursday.
On naming the side, McNamara said: “It’s set to be another good challenge for the players on Friday night.
“Everyone was disappointed with the result against Wales, so it’s an opportunity to finish our time in Donnybrook on a positive note.
“We’ve made some changes for Friday night and I know the management team are looking forward to seeing those players go out and show what they can do.
“Scotland will be arriving into Dublin off the back of a good win over England, so they will be full of confidence coming into the game.
“The games between ourselves and Scotland have been close affairs over the last few seasons, so we’re expecting another tough encounter this Friday night.”
Ireland Under-20s team to face Scotland on Friday
15. Michael Silvester (Dublin University FC/Leinster) (7)
14. Angus Kernohan (Ballymena RFC/Ulster) (3)
13. Tommy O’Brien (UCD RFC/Leinster) Captain (8)
12. Angus Curtis (Queen’s University RFC/Ulster) (3)
11. Mark Keane (Queen’s University RFC/Ulster) (2)
10. Harry Byrne (UCD RFC/Leinster) (3)
9. Hugh O’Sullivan (Clontarf FC/Leinster) (3)
1. James French (UCC RFC/Munster) (3)
2. Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne FC/ Leinster) (10)
3. Tom O’Toole (Banbridge RFC/Ulster) (3)
4. Matthew Dalton (Malone RFC/Ulster) (1)
5. Jack Dunne (Dublin University FC/Leinster) (3)
6. Joe Dunleavy (Malone RFC/Ulster) (0)
7. Matthew Agnew (Ballymena RFC/Ulster) (2)
8. Jack O’Sullivan (UCC RFC/Munster) (3)
Replacements:
16. TBC
17. Jordan Duggan (Naas RFC/Leinster) (7)
18. Jack Aungier (St. Mary’s College RFC/Leinster) (3)
19. Charlie Ryan (UCD RFC/Leinster) (2)
20. Ronan Foley (UCD RFC/Leinster) (2)
21. Jonny Stewart (Queen’s University RFC/Ulster) (12)
22. Conor Dean (St.Mary’s College RFC/Leinster) (7)
23. James Hume (Banbridge RFC/Ulster) (1)