Ireland U20 Team Named For England U20

14th March 2018 By The Editor

Jack O’Sullivan in action against Scotland INPHO/Tommy Dickson

Head Coach Noel McNamara has named the Ireland U20 side, sponsored by PwC, to face England in their final game of the U20 Six Nations Championship on Friday night at 8pm in the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Munster’s Jack O’Sullivan, who picked up Man of the Match against Scotland, starts at Number 8 with Diarmuid Barron, James French and Ronan Coffey named among the replacements.

There are four personnel changes, and one positional switch to the side that started last Friday’s win over Scotland.

There are three changes to the front-row, with props Jordan Duggan and Jack Aungier starting alongside hooker Eoghan Clarke.

Matthew Dalton and Jack Dunne are in the second-row and in the back-row, flankers Joe Dunleavy and Matthew Agnew pack down with Number 8 O’Sullivan.

In the backs, James Hume will start on the right wing, with Angus Kernohan switching to the left side.

The remainder of the backline is unchanged, with scrum-half, Hugh O’Sullivan partnering out-half Harry Byrne, Angus Curtis is alongside Captain Tommy O’Brien in the centres and Michael Silvester is at full-back.

Mullingar man Sean O’Brien will be looking to win his first U20 cap from the replacements, and he provides cover in the backs alongside scrum-half Jonny Stewart and Conor Dean.

Barron, French and Tom O’Toole provide front-row cover, with Coffey and Sean Masterson completing the forward substitutes.

On confirmation of the side, McNamara said:

“It was good to come away with the bonus point win last Friday in Donnybrook, and while there are areas of our game we can improve on, the result has left us in a good place ahead of Friday’s fixture.

“England are always a stiff challenge at this level and it’s set to be a great opportunity for the players, but one I know they are excited for.”

The game will be broadcast live by Sky Sports, with coverage beginning at 7.45pm.

Ireland U20 v England U20, U20 Six Championship, Friday 16th March, Ricoh Arena. Kick-Off: 8pm