Ireland U20 team named for Scotland U20 clash

Head Coach Noel McNamara has named the Ireland U20s side, sponsored by PwC, to face Scotland at 7.15pm on Friday night in Donnybrook, in their final home game of the U20 Six Nations Championship.

There are seven personnel, and one positional changes to the starting side from the last outing against Wales.

Props James French and Tom O’Toole make their first starts of the championship, having both made three appearances from the replacements, and they join hooker Ronan Kelleher in the front-row.

Matthew Dalton returns from a stint with the Ulster senior squad to replace the injured Cormac Daly (shoulder). He lines out with Jack Dunne in the second-row.

There is also a change to the back-row, with Joe Dunleavy set to win his first U20s cap, alongside Matthew Agnew and Jack O’Sullivan.

In the backs, scrum-half, Hugh O’Sullivan gains his second start of the campaign and he will partner out-half Harry Byrne.

In midfield, Captain Tommy O’Brien reverts from the wing back to the centre and partners Angus Curtis.

There are first U20 Six Nations starts for wings Mark Keane and Angus Kernohan and they line out in the back field with full-back Michael Silvester.

The replacement hooker will be confirmed on Thursday.

On naming the side, McNamara said;

"It’s set to be another good challenge for the players on Friday night.

Everyone was disappointed with the result against Wales, so it’s an opportunity to finish our time in Donnybrook on a positive note
.
We’ve made some changes for Friday night and I know the management team are looking forward to seeing those players go out and show what they can do.

Scotland will be arriving into Dublin off the back of a good win over England, so they will be full of confidence coming into the game.

The games between ourselves and Scotland have been close affairs over the last few seasons, so we’re expecting another tough encounter this Friday night."

The Ireland U20’s home fixtures in Donnybrook are again sponsored by Electric Ireland, and the match will be broadcast live by RTE, with coverage beginning at 7pm.

Tickets are available via www.ticketmaster.ie

Ireland U20 v Scotland U20, U20 Six Championship, Friday 9th March, Donnybrook Stadium.  Kick-Off: 7.15pm

15. Michael Silvester (Dublin University FC/Leinster) (7)
14. Angus Kernohan (Ballymena RFC/Ulster) (3)
13. Tommy O’Brien (UCD RFC/Leinster) Captain (8)
12. Angus Curtis (Queen’s University RFC/Ulster) (3)
11. Mark Keane (Queen’s University RFC/Ulster) (2)
10. Harry Byrne (UCD RFC/Leinster) (3)
9. Hugh O’Sullivan (Clontarf FC/Leinster) (3)
1. James French (UCC RFC/Munster) (3)
2. Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne FC/ Leinster) (10)
3. Tom O’Toole (Banbridge RFC/Ulster) (3)
4. Matthew Dalton (Malone RFC/Ulster) (1)
5. Jack Dunne (Dublin University FC/Leinster) (3)
6. Joe Dunleavy (Malone RFC/Ulster) (0)
7. Matthew Agnew (Ballymena RFC/Ulster) (2)
8. Jack O’Sullivan (UCC RFC/Munster) (3)

Replacements:
16. AN Other
17. Jordan Duggan (Naas RFC/Leinster) (7)
18. Jack Aungier (St. Mary’s College RFC/Leinster) (3)
19. Charlie Ryan (UCD RFC/Leinster) (2)
20. Ronan Foley (UCD RFC/Leinster) (2)
21. Jonny Stewart (Queen’s University RFC/Ulster) (12)
22. Conor Dean (St.Mary’s College RFC/Leinster) (7)
23. James Hume (Banbridge RFC/Ulster) (1)

IRELAND U20 Six Nations Fixtures and Results
Friday 2rd February
France 34 - 24 Ireland, Stade Amédée Domenech, Brive

Friday 9th February

Ireland 38-34 Italy , Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin

Friday 23rd February
Ireland 38-41 Wales, Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin

Saturday 9th March
Ireland v Scotland, 7.15pm, Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin

Friday 16th March
England v Ireland, 8pm, Ricoh Arena, Coventry