Ireland U20 side named for France encounter

Feb 10 • General News, International, Six Nations • 1346 Views • Comments Off on Ireland U20 side named for France encounter

The Ireland U20 team (sponsored by PwC) to face France U20 on Friday, 12th February in Narbonne has been named.

Head Coach Nigel Carolan has made several changes to the side that lost to Wales in Donnybrook last Friday night.

In the backs, UCD’s Hugo Keenan, who started on the wing last week moves to full-back in place of the injured Jack Power.

Conor O’Brien (Clontarf), who won his first cap from the bench last week will start on the wing and St.Mary’s and Ireland Sevens player Terry Kennedy will look to win his first U20s cap from the bench.

Up front, prop Conor Kenny (Buccaneers) takes the place of Sligo’s Conán O’Donnell, who moves to the replacements.

Cork Con’s Dan Walsh, who will win his first U20s cap, comes straight into the back-row for the injured Will Connors.

Speaking ahead of the side departing for France, Carolan said:

“We were disappointed with how things went against Wales. I thought that we played well overall but mistakes proved costly in the end. We’ve hopefully addressed the key areas and we’ll be looking for an improved performance on Friday night.

Our training sessions this week have been very positive and the players are looking forward to the game in Narbonne. If we can maximise on our opportunities, I’d be confident of a result against the French.”

Ireland U20 side v France U20.
Stade d’Honneur du Parc des Sports et de l’Amitié, Narbonne, Friday 12th February. 9.05pm

15. Hugo Keenan (UCD / Leinster)
14. Matthew Byrne (Terenure / Leinster)
13. Shane Daly (Cork Con / Munster)
12. Jimmy O’Brien (UCD / Leinster)
11. Conor O’Brien (Clontarf / Leinster)
10. Johnny McPhillips (QUB / Ulster)
9. John Poland (Cork Con / Munster)

1. Andrew Porter (UCD / Leinster)
2. Adam McBurney (Ballymena / Ulster)
3. Conor Kenny (Buccaneers / Connacht)
4. Peter Claffey (Galwegians / Connacht)
5. James Ryan (Lansdowne / Leinster)* Captain
6. Cillian Gallagher (Sligo / Connacht)
7. Dan Walsh (Cork Con / Munster)*
8. Max Deegan (Lansdowne / Leinster)

Replacements
16. Shane Fenton (Young Munster / Munster)
17. James Bollard (Dublin University / Leinster)
18. Conán O’Donnell (Sligo / Connacht)
19. Sean O’Connor (Cashel / Munster)
20. Kelvin Brown (Shannon / Munster)
21. Stephen Kerins (Sligo / Connacht)
22. Brett Connon (Newcastle Falcons)
23. Terry Kennedy (St.Mary’s / Leinster)*

*Denotes Uncapped at this level

Not Considered
Jack Power (UCD/Leinster) – injured
Will Connors (UCD/Leinster) – injured
Jacob Stockdale (Belfast Harlequins / Ulster) – involved with Ulster (Pro 12)
Robert Lyttle (Queens University / Ulster) – involved with Ulster (Pro 12)