Ireland Under-20s head coach Noel McNamara has named his side to take on England in the opening game of the Under-20 Six Nations on Friday.
They will be hoping to start their 2019 campaign with victory at Irish Independent Park, with the game kicking off at 7.15pm against last year’s runners up.
McNamara’s men will be looking to improve on their third-placed finish in last year’s Championship.
Props Josh Wycherley and Thomas Clarkson will start alongside hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin, who wins his second Under-20 cap having made his debut at last season’s Under-20 World Championships.
Charlie Ryan, who returns for his second Under-20 Six Nations campaign, starts in the second row alongside Niall Murray.
Martin Moloney, Scott Penny and No.8 John Hodnett are named in the back row, while scrum-half Craig Casey will partner out-half Harry Byrne – who is set to win his 11th U20 cap.
Captain David Hawkshaw partners Liam Turner the centre with Jake Flannery starting at full-back, with Conor Phillips and Jonathan Wren on the wings.
📄 Here is your Ireland U20 squad to face England this Friday in Irish Independent Park
🏟️ – Irish Independent Park
🏴 – Friday 1st February
⌚: 7.15pm
🎟: https://t.co/hyIvF2Lqb3…#FutureIsGreen pic.twitter.com/PD1kfiozsT
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) January 30, 2019
Ahead of the Ireland Under-20s debut test in Cork, McNamara said: “The players have prepared very well since we first came together before Christmas.
“We had a good camp last week in Cork and are looking forward to the challenge that England will bring this Friday night.
“We have a very talented group of players in the squad, and there were a number of tight calls on selection for this game.
“There is a lot of rugby to be played over the coming weeks and months, so the competitiveness in the squad is a real positive and bodes well for the season ahead.
“Everyone involved is excited to be heading to Irish Independent Park for this opening fixture.
“It’s a great venue, with a nice fast pitch and we’re looking forward to getting the campaign underway in front of an energetic and lively crowd in Cork.”
The match will be broadcast live by RTE, directly after the Ireland Women’s game against England (5pm kick-off).
Ireland U20 v England U20, U20 Six Championship, Irish Independent Park, Cork. Kick-Off: 7.15pm
15. Jake Flannery (Shannon RFC / Munster)
14. Conor Phillips (Young Munster RFC / Munster)
13. Liam Turner (Dublin University FC / Leinster)
12. David Hawkshaw (c) (Clontarf FC / Leinster)
11. Jonathan Wren (Cork Constitution FC / Munster)
10. Harry Byrne (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
9. Craig Casey (Shannon RFC / Munster)
1. Josh Wycherley (Young Munster RFC / Munster)
2. Dylan Tierney-Martin (Corinthians RFC / Connacht)
3. Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University FC / Leinster)
4. Charlie Ryan (UCD RFC / Leinster)
5. Niall Murray (Buccaneers RFC / Connacht)
6. Martin Moloney (Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster)
7. Scott Penny (UCD RFC / Leinster)
8. John Hodnett (UCC RFC / Munster)
Replacements:
16. John McKee (Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster)
17. Michael Milne (UCD RFC / Leinster)
18. Ryan Lomas (Galwegians RFC / Connacht)
19. Brian Deeny (Clontarf FC / Leinster)
20. David McCann (Banbridge RFC / Ulster)
21. Cormac Foley (St.Mary’s College RFC / Munster)
22. Sean French (Cork Constitution FC / Munster)
23. Rob Russell (Dublin University FC / Munster)