Ireland have named their U20 side to face Scotland on Friday evening.

The two sides are level on points, two behind England and France, but along with Wales can only finish second, with England and France effectively playing off for top spot.

There are four changes to the Irish side, in the pack Conan O’Donnell joins Jeremy Loughman and Zack McCall in the front row. Alex Thompson returns to the second row to partner David O’Connor and Josh Murphy returns to the back row with Nick Timoney and Lorcan Dow.

Michael Lagan and Oisin Heffernan are named in the replacements along with Jack Dawn who comes into the match 23 for the first time.

Head Coach Nigel Carolan said:

“We have always said that this tournament is about building players for the future and empowering them to react to what happens on the pitch.”

“While we were disappointed with our performance against Wales last Friday, the lads have responded well in training and are looking forward to making amends this Friday.”

“Scotland will present us with another tough challenge but we are confident that we can finish this campaign on a high.”

Scotland U20 v Ireland U20 – Friday, 19.30, Netherdale

Ireland U20 XV

15 – Billy Dardis (UCD/ Leinster)

14 – Ciaran Gaffney (Galwegians/Connacht)

13 – Garry Ringrose (UCD/ Leinster)

12 – Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster)

11 – Stephen Fitzgerald (Shannon/ Munster)

10 – Ross Byrne (UCD / Leinster)

9 – Nick McCarthy (UCD/ Leinster) (Capt)

1 – Jeremy Loughman (UCD / Leinster)

2 – Zack McCall (QUB/Ulster)

3 – Conan O’Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht)

4 – David O’Connor (St. Mary’s/Leinster)

5 – Alex Thompson (QUB/Ulster)

6 – Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster)

7 – Nick Timoney (St. Mary’s/Leinster)

8 – Lorcan Dow (QUB/Ulster)

16 – Adam McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster)

17 – Michael Lagan (Ballymena/Ulster)

18 – Oisin Heffernan (Terenure/Leinster)

19 – Jack Dawn (UCD/Leinster)

20 – Stephen McVeigh (Buccaneers/ Connacht)

21 – Conor Young (QUB/Ulster)

22 – Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster)

23 – Jacob Stockdale (QUB/ Ulster)