Ireland have named their U20 side to face Italy on Friday night at Donnybrook.
Kicking off at 7.15pm, Ireland are looking to bounce back after their lost out in a thriller to France last week.
Head Coach Noel McNamara has made four changes to that side, with Sean Masterston and Matthew Agnew coming in to join number 8 Jack O’Sullivan in the back row.
Ahead of them in the scrum, the side is unchanged, with Jack Dunne and Cormac Daly in the second row, and Jordan Duggan and Jack Aungier propping either side of experienced hooker Ronan Kelleher.
Hugh Sullivan comes in at scrum half, with Harry Byrne retaining his place at outside half. Tommy O’Brien will captain the side from outside centre again, but he has a new partner this week in Angus Curtis at inside centre.
In the back three James McCarthy and Peter Sullivan will be on the wings, either side of full back Michael Silvester.
On the bench Eoghan Clarke comes in and could make his debut, while James French and Tom O’Toole retain their places as replacement props. Charlie Ryan comes in to cover the second row, while Ronan Foley covers the back row.
Paddy Patterson, Conor Dean, and Angus Kernohan are the replacements backs.
Speaking ahead of the game, Head Coach Noel McNamara said:
“France was a learning experience for all involved, and the challenge now is to build on what went right for us in Bordeaux while also looking to address the areas that could have been better.“
“We had a long trip home from France, but the players have looked after themselves and recovered well and they are eager to run out in front of a home crowd this Friday night.”
“Italy pushed England all the way and really made them work hard for their win last weekend, and their underage sides are getting stronger and stronger each season, so it will be a challenge, but our players showed a lot of character in the second half against France, and we’ll be looking for them to build on that coming into this game.”
Ireland U20 XV v Italy – Friday, 7.15pm, Donnybrook Stadium – Live on RTE
15 Michael Silvester (Dublin University/Leinster), 14 Peter Sullivan (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), 13 Tommy O’Brien (UCD RFC/Leinster, captain), 12 Angus Curtis (Queen’s University RFC/Ulster), 11 James McCarthy (UL Bohemian/Munster), 10 Harry Byrne (UCD RFC/Leinster), 9 Hugh O’Sullivan (Clontarf FC/Leinster), 1 Jordan Duggan (Naas/Leinster), 2 Ronan Kelleher (UCD/ Leinster), 3 Jack Aungier (St. Mary’s College RFC/Leinster), 4 Cormac Daly (Clontarf FC/Leinster), 5 Jack Dunne (Dublin University FC/Leinster), 6 Sean Masterson (Corinthians RFC/Connacht), 7 Matthew Agnew (Ballymena RFC/Ulster), 8 Jack O’Sullivan (UCC RFC/Munster).
Replacements: 16 Eoghan Clarke (Wanderers FC/Leinster), 17 James French (UCC RFC/Munster), 18 Tom O’Toole (Banbridge RFC/Ulster), 19 Charlie Ryan (UCD RFC/Leinster), 20 Ronan Foley (UCD RFC/Leinster), 21 Paddy Patterson (UCD RFC/Leinster), 22 Conor Dean (St.Mary’s College RFC/Leinster), 23 Angus Kernohan (Ballymena RFC/Ulster).
