Hanrahan and Scannell Start For Ireland

The Ireland Under 20 team has been named to face France on Saturday, 11th February, in Stade Des Alpes, Grenoble in their second clash of the RBS 6 Nations k.o. 2.15pm.

Munster’s JJ Hanrahan and Niall Scannell will both start in the first XV with hooker James Rael named on the bench.

Coach Mike Ruddock has brought two new faces into the side that won their opening game against Wales, 11 – 6, last weekend in Athlone.

Conor Finn has been brought into the starting XV to replace Barry Daly who recently underwent surgery following a broken thumb in last week’s fixture.

Diarmuid Higgins has been brought into the squad and will take his place on the bench replacing Jake Cawley who took a knock during last week’s game and is unavailable for selection this week.

Chris Farrell has been promoted from the bench to the Centre along with Scrum Half Luke McGrath, both of whom make their first start of the series.

Ireland XV Shane Layden (Connacht), Conor Finn (Connacht) Chris Farrell (Ulster), JJ Hanrahan (Munster), Sam Coghlan-Murray (Leinster), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Luke McGrath (Leinster), Kyle McCall (Ulster), Niall Scannell (Munster), Peter Reilly (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Daniel Qualter (Connacht), Conor Gilsenan (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Aaron Conneely (Connacht) Replacements: Des Merrey (Leinster), James Rael (Munster), Diarmuid Higgins (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Leinster), Jordan Coughlan (Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Connacht), Cathal Marsh (Leinster), Foster Horan (Leinster)

Ireland Under-20 RBS 6 Nations Fixtures 2012 (All Kick-off Times GMT):

Sat 11th Feb 14:15 France U20 v Ireland U20 Grenoble
Fri 24th Feb 19:05 Ireland U20 v Italy U20 Dubarry Park
Fri 9th Mar 19:05 Ireland U20 v Scotland U20 Dubarry Park
Fri 16th Mar 20:05 England U20 v Ireland U20 Adams Park