Ireland U20s Named

There are two changes to the Ireland U20 side that overcame their Italian counterparts 47-15 last Friday in Italy.

Following last weekend's opening round victory the Ireland U20s face France U20s in Dubarry Park, Athlone on Friday night at 7.05pm.

The French side recorded a comprehensive 47-6 victory against their Scottish counterparts last Saturday at Stade Jean Lavie.

Munster academy player Stephen Fitzgerald starts on the wing, replacing his academy colleague Greg O'Shea who picked up an injury during last week's game. In joining the squad the former Munster U20's captain will make his 6 Nations debut on Friday night.

Academy scrumhalf Jack Cullen is once again named in the replacements.

Sam Arnold makes his first start of the tournament to partner Garry Ringrose in the centre. Fergal Cleary is named in the replacements.

Speaking about the fixture, Head Coach Nigel Carolan said "It was great to get the tournament off to a winning start. We are looking forward to playing the French side at home. The guys have been working very hard but, we have no doubt we have a tough battle on our hands against a strong, physical side.”

The Ireland U-20 v France U-20 game will broadcast live on RTE 2 on Friday evening, coverage starting at 7pm.

Ireland Under-20 Squad:
15 – Billy Dardis (UCD/ Leinster)
14 – Jack Owens (QUB/ Ulster)
13 – Garry Ringrose (UCD/ Leinster)
12 – Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
11 – Stephen Fitzgerald (Shannon/ Munster)
10 – Ross Byrne (UCD / Leinster)
9 – Nick McCarthy (UCD/ Leinster) (Capt)
1 – Jeremy Loughman (UCD / Leinster)
2 – Zack McCall (QUB/Ulster)
3 – Oisin Heffernan (Terenure/Leinster)
4 – David O'Connor (St. Mary's/Leinster)
5 – Alex Thompson (QUB/Ulster)
6 – Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster)
7 – Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/Connacht)
8 – Lorcan Dow (QUB/Ulster)

Replacements
16 – Adam McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster)
17 – Michael Lagan (Ballymena/Ulster)
18 – Conan O'Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht)
19 – Cian Romaine (Buccaneers/Connacht)
20 – Nick Timoney (St. Mary's/Leinster)
21 – Jack Cullen (Shannon/Munster)
22 – Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster)
23 – Fergal Cleary (Lansdowne / Leinster)

RBS 6 Nations Ireland Under-20 Fixtures and Results:
Result: Fri 6 Feb Italy U20 15 Ireland U20 47

Fri 13 Feb 19:05 Ireland U20 v France U20 Dubarry Park
Fri 27 Feb 19:05 Ireland U20 v England U20 Donnybrook
Fri 13 Mar 19:45 Wales U20 v Ireland U20 Parc Eirias
Fri 20 Mar 19:30 Scotland U20 v Ireland U20 Netherdale