Ireland U20 have named their side for their World Rugby U20 Championship against New Zealand, in what is theoretically the Pool C decider.

Theoretically because while both sides head into the game with two wins from two, New Zealand will start as the strong favourites, a status backed up by their four previous titles at this level.

Ireland have chance though, and to that end Head Coach Nigel Carolan has made four changes to the side that beat Scotland 24-20 in their previous game. Jack Owens comes in on the right wing for his first game of the tournament, while on the left Jacob Stockdale comes back into the starting fifteen.

In the forwards Rory Moloney comes in at openside after missing the Scotland game, with Zack McCall coming in at hooker.

Speaking ahead of the crucial game, Carolan said:

“This is a big game for both sides, the winner of this will have a guaranteed place in the semi-finals. New Zealand are a good team, so we will need to be brilliant for the full 80 minutes to give ourselves a chance. However, in preparation for a tough battle, we have recovered well from our last outing and have identified some key areas which we hope we can take advantage of.”

Ireland U20 v New Zealand U20 – Wednesday, 19.30, Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana (BT Sport)

Ireland U20 XV:

15. Billy Dardis (UCD/Leinster)

14. Jack Owens (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster)

13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)

12. Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster)

11. Jacob Stockdale (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster)

10. Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster)

9. Nick McCarthy (UCD/Leinster) (capt)

1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)

2. Zack McCall (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster)

3. Oisin Heffernan (Terenure College/Leinster)

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

5. Alex Thompson (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster)

6. Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster)

7. Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/Connacht)

8. Lorcan Dow (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster)

Replacements:

16. Sean McNulty (UCD/Leinster)

17. Liam O’Connor (Cork Constitution/Munster)

18. Conan O’Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht)

19. Cian Romaine (Buccaneers/Connacht)

20. Stephen McVeigh (Buccaneers/Connacht)

21. Charlie Rock (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

22. Tomás Quinlan (Cork Constitution/Munster)

23. Fergal Cleary (Lansdowne/Leinster)