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Rugby

Four changes for Ireland U20 side to face Italy

Nigel Carolan looks to maintain Ireland's winning start in the U20 Six Nations championship and m...



Four changes for Ireland U20 s...
Rugby

Four changes for Ireland U20 side to face Italy

Nigel Carolan looks to maintain Ireland's winning start in the U20 Six Nations championship and makes four changes for this weekend's clash with Italy.

Ireland were narrow one-point winners over Scotland at Broadwood Stadium last Friday night and will now look to make it two wins from two when they visit their Italian counterparts this weekend at the Stadio Enrico Chersoni. 

"It was tough going last Friday night in Glasgow," Carolan said in a statement. "The conditions made it challenging and with 21 of the 23 players involved gaining their first experience of international rugby at this level, the fact that we came away with the result against a very good Scottish side is a big positive."

Charlie Connolly will start in the front-row, with Calvin Nash coming into the back-three and Matthew Burke and Gavin Coombes coming on the bench.

The front-row sees hooker, Tadgh McElroy joined by props Joey Conway and Connolly, who replaces the injured Peter Cooper at tight head.

Fineen Wycherley partners Oisin Dowling in an unchanged second-row. Flanker Cillian Gallagher will captain the side in the absence of injured full-back Jack Kelly.

Gallagher is joined in the back-row by Paul Boyle and number 8 Caelan Doris. Johnny Stewart and Johnny McPhillips continue at half-backs, while Ciaran Frawley and Gavin Mullin resume their centre partnership.

Colm Hogan shifts from the wing to full-back, with Jordan Larmour and Calvin Nash, who made his senior debut for Munster last weekend, taking their places on the wings.

"The Italians are ever improving, so we are expecting another tough encounter, particularly up front, where they made life difficult for Wales last week.

"We have made a couple of changes for this week, so for the players selected, we're looking for them to build on their experience from last week and continue to develop as a team."

Ireland U20 XV to face Italy U20

15. Colm Hogan (Dublin University / Munster)
14. Jordan Larmour (St.Mary's College / Leinster)
13. Gavin Mullin (UCD RFC / Leinster)
12. Ciaran Frawley (UCD RFC / Leinster)
11. Calvin Nash (Young Munster / Munster)
10. Johnny McPhillips (Ballynahinch / Ulster)
9. Johnny Stewart (Queen's University / Ulster)
1. Joey Conway (UL Bohemians / Munster)
2. Tadgh McElroy (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
3. Charlie Connolly (Dublin University / Leinster)
4. Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster / Munster)
5. Oisin Dowling (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
6. Cillian Gallagher (Captain) (Corinthians / Connacht)
7. Paul Boyle (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
8. Caelan Doris (St.Mary's College / Leinster)

Replacements

16. Adam Moloney (Shannon RFC / Munster)
17. Rory Mulvihill (UCD RFC / Leinster)
18. Matthew Burke (Corinthians / Connacht)
19. Jack Regan (UCD RFC / Leinster)
20. Gavin Coombes (Young Munster / Munster)
21. Jack Lyons (Young Munster / Munster)
22. Conor Fitzgerald (Shannon RFC / Munster)
23. Tommy O'Brien (UCD RFC / Leinster)

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