Ireland U20 Side to play Italy U20

Ireland U20 Head Coach, Nigel Carolan has confirmed the Ireland U20 side to take on Italy U20 this Friday at the Stadio Enrico Chersoni in Prato.

The team shows four changes from the one that claimed a late win over their Scottish counterparts last Friday night. Charlie Connolly will start in the front-row, with Calvin Nash coming into the back-three and Matthew Burke and Gavin Coombes coming on the bench.

The front-row sees hooker, Tadgh McElroy joined by props Joey Conway and Connolly (who replaces the injured Peter Cooper at tight head).

The second-row remains the same from last week's game, as Fineen Wycherley partners Oisin Dowling.

Flanker Cillian Gallagher will captain the side in the absence of injured full-back Jack Kelly. Gallagher is joined in the back-row by Paul Boyle and Number 8 Caelan Doris.

The Ulster pairing of Johnny Stewart and Johnny McPhillips continue at half-backs, with Ciaran Frawley and Gavin Mullin resuming their centre partnership.

Colm Hogan shifts from the wing to full-back, with Jordan Larmour and Calvin Nash, who made his senior debut for Munster last weekend, taking their places on the wings.

Ahead of the side departing for Prato, Carolan said;

'It was tough going last Friday night in Glasgow. The conditions made it challenging and with 21 of the 23 players involved gaining their first experience of international rugby at this level, the fact that we came away with the result against a very good Scottish side is a big positive.

The Italians are ever improving, so we are expecting another tough encounter, particularly up front, where they made life difficult for Wales last week.

We have made a couple of changes for this week, so for the players selected, we're looking for them to build on their experience from last week and continue to develop as a team.”

Ireland U20 vs Italy U20, Stadio Enrico Chersoni, Prato, North Italy, 7.00pm (local time) / 6.00pm (Irish time)
15. Colm Hogan (Dublin University / Munster)
14. Jordan Larmour (St.Mary's College / Leinster)
13. Gavin Mullin (UCD RFC / Leinster)
12. Ciaran Frawley (UCD RFC / Leinster)
11. Calvin Nash (Young Munster / Munster)
10. Johnny McPhillips (Ballynahinch / Ulster)
9. Johnny Stewart (Queen's University / Ulster)
1. Joey Conway (UL Bohemians / Munster)
2. Tadgh McElroy (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
3. Charlie Connolly (Dublin University / Leinster)
4. Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster / Munster)
5. Oisin Dowling (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
6. Cillian Gallagher (Captain) (Corinthians / Connacht)
7. Paul Boyle (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
8. Caelan Doris (St.Mary's College / Leinster)
 
Replacements
16. Adam Moloney (Shannon RFC / Munster)
17. Rory Mulvihill (UCD RFC / Leinster)
18. Matthew Burke (Corinthians / Connacht)
19. Jack Regan (UCD RFC / Leinster)
20. Gavin Coombes (Young Munster / Munster)
21. Jack Lyons (Young Munster / Munster)
22. Conor Fitzgerald (Shannon RFC / Munster)
23. Tommy O'Brien (UCD RFC / Leinster)
 
Not considered due to injury
Jack Kelly
Marcus Rea
Peter Cooper