Three changes to Ireland 20’s side for Welsh clash

Head Coach Noel McNamara has named the Ireland U20s side, to face Wales this Friday in Donnybrook in the 3rd round of the U20 Six Nations Championship.

UL Bohemian back James McCarthy starts on the wing while Diarmuid Barron, who touched down for Garryowen in the Ulster Bank League win over UCD last weekend is included in the replacements.

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 Silvester.

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.”

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)