Fresh from their opening round defeat of England, Ireland have named their side to face Scotland on Friday night in the U20 6 Nations second round.
The young Irishmen were outstanding last weekend at Irish Independent Park in Cork, beating a strong England side 35-27. They now look to continue that momentum against a Scotland side that will be reeling after defeat at home to Italy.
Head Coach Noel McMamara has named a side with building that momentum in mind, making just one change to the side that beat England.
Cormac Foley, a try-scorer off the bench last week, replaces the injured Craig Caser at scrum half after he suffered an injury in that game. Colm Reilly of Connacht fills his spot on the bench, and Munster prop Luke Masters is another new addition to the bench, both will be making their debuts should they come on.
Elsewhere it is as you were, Josh Wycherley, Dylan Tierney-Martin, and Thomas Clarkson in the front row, Charlie Ryan and Niall Murray in the engine room, with Martin Moloney, Scott Penny, and John Hodnett in the back row.
The outstanding Harry Bryne continues at fly half, partnering Foley, with the all Leinster pairing in the centres of David Hawkshaw and Liam Turner, Hawkshaw again captains the side. Meanwhile in the back row Jake Flannery is on the wing with Conor Phillips and Jonathan Wren the wings.
Speaking to Irish Rugby ahead of Friday’s game, McNamara said:
“We got things started on a really positive note on Friday night in Cork, and it was a credit to the players with how well they finished the game. It was great to get the Championship off with a win like that, but there’s a new challenge in front of us this Friday.”
“I’ve no doubt Scotland will be hurting from their loss against Italy. The players are very much focused on their own jobs for this Friday night, and they’re looking forward to their first away match of the campaign.”
Ireland U20 XV v Scotland – Friday 8th February, 7.30pm, Galashiels
15 Jake Flannery (Shannon/Munster), 14 Conor Phillips (Young Munster/Munster), 13 Liam Turner (Dublin University/Leinster), 12 David Hawkshaw (Clontarf/Leinster, captain), 11 Jonathan Wren (Cork Constitution/Munster), 10 Harry Byrne (Lansdowne/Leinster), 9 Cormac Foley (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), 1 Josh Wycherley (Young Munster/Munster), 2 Dylan Tierney-Martin (Corinthians/Connacht), 3 Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster), 4 Charlie Ryan (UCD/Leinster), 5 Niall Murray (Buccaneers/Connacht), 6 Martin Moloney (Old Belvedere/Leinster), 7 Scott Penny (UCD/Leinster), 8 John Hodnett (UCC/Munster).
Replacements: 16 John McKee (Old Belvedere/Leinster), 17 Michael Milne (UCD/Leinster), 18 Luke Masters (Shannon/Munster), 19 Brian Deeny (Clontarf/Leinster), 20 David McCann (Banbridge/Ulster), 21 Colm Reilly (Buccaneers/Connacht), 22 Sean French (Cork Constitution/Munster), 23 Rob Russell (Dublin University/Leinster).
Ireland U20 6 Nations Fixtures:
Round 1 – Ireland 35-27 England
Round 2 – Scotland – Friday 8th Feb, 7.30pm, Netherdale, Galashiels
Round 3 – Italy – Friday 22nd Feb, Stadio Centro d’Italia (Live on www.facebook.com/Federugby)
Round 4 – France – Friday 8th Mar, 7.15pm, Irish Independent Park, Cork (Live on RTE)
Round 5 – Wales – Friday 15th Mar, 7.15pm, Stadwim Zip World, Colwyn Bay (Live on RTE)