Ireland Under 20 side to face Wales

Head Coach Noel McNamara has named the Ireland U20s side, sponsored by PwC, to face Wales this Friday in Donnybrook in the 3rd round of the U20 Six Nations Championship. The game kicks off at 7.15pm.

There are three changes to starting side that defeated Italy a fortnight ago.

In the pack, Ronan Kelleher, has recovered from the illness that forced him out of the Italy game and he re-joins props Jordan Duggan and Jack Aungier in the front-row.

Cormac Daly and Jack Dunne continue their second-row partnership and the back-row is also unchanged, with Sean Masterson, Matthew Agnew and Jack O’Sullivan again lining out.

In the backs, scrum-half, Jonny Stewart returns to the side following his call-up to the Ulster senior side and he partners out-half Harry Byrne.

In midfield, James Hume will win his first cap and he partners fellow Ulster centre Angus Curtis.

Captain Tommy O’Brien moves to the wing and forms a back-three partnership with James McCarthy and full-back Michael Silvestre.

On confirmation of the 23, McNamara said; "We are progressing well as a team and we have been building week on week.

We had a good hit out against the senior squad in Athlone last week and the players have gone well in training since the Italy game.

Wales bring a new challenge and it is one that the players are very much looking forward to.

We took our foot off the pedal in the second half against Italy, so we’ll be looking for a more sustained performance this Friday."

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 Wales U20, U20 Six Championship, Friday 23rd February, Donnybrook Stadium.  Kick-Off: 7.15pm

15. Michael Silvester (Dublin University FC/Leinster) (6)
14. Tommy O’Brien (UCD RFC/Leinster) (7) Captain
13. James Hume (Banbridge RFC/Ulster) (0)
12. Angus Curtis (Queen’s University RFC/Ulster) (2)
11. James McCarthy (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) (2)
10. Harry Byrne (UCD RFC/Leinster) (2)
9. Jonny Stewart (Queen’s University RFC/Ulster) (11)
1. Jordan Duggan (Naas RFC/Leinster) (6)
2. Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne FC/ Leinster) (9)
3. Jack Aungier (St. Mary’s College RFC/Leinster) (2)
4. Cormac Daly (Clontarf FC/Leinster) (2)
5. Jack Dunne (Dublin University FC/Leinster) (2)
6. Sean Masterson (Corinthians RFC/Connacht) (6)
7. Matthew Agnew (Ballymena RFC/Ulster) (1)
8. Jack O’Sullivan (UCC RFC/Munster) (2)

Replacements:
16. Diarmuid Barron (Garryowen FC/Munster) (3)
17. James French (UCC RFC/Munster) (2)
18.Tom O’Toole (Banbridge RFC/Ulster) (2)
19. Charlie Ryan (UCD RFC/Leinster) (1)
20. Ronan Foley (UCD RFC/Leinster) (1)
21. Hugh O’Sullivan (Clontarf FC/Leinster) (2)
22. Conor Dean (St.Mary’s College RFC/Leinster) (6)
23. Angus Kernohan (Ballymena RFC/Ulster) (2)


IRELAND U20 Six Nations Fixtures and Results 2018
Friday 2rd February 2018
France U20 34 - 24 Ireland U20, Stade Amédée Domenech, Brive

Friday 9th February 2018
Ireland U20 38 - 34 Italy U20, Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin

Friday 23rd February 2018
Ireland U20 v Wales U20, 7.15pm, Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin

Saturday 9th March 2018
Ireland U20 v Scotland U20, 7.15pm, Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin

Friday 16th March 2018
England U20 v Ireland U20, 8pm, Ricoh Arena, Coventry