The Ireland U20s travel to the Recreation Ground in Bath hoping to beat England in a Grand Slam showdown this Friday evening. Here's all you need to know about Ireland U20 v England U20.
It has been another impressive campaign for Ireland with 3 wins from 3 and a hugely dominant display against Wales last time out. Head coach Richie Murphy has made 4 changes to the Ireland side who are still without Brian Gleeson.
However, England will pose a completely different challenge than what Ireland have faced. They also have an unblemished record in this years U20 Six Nations and sit a point ahead of Ireland obtaining a bonus point in all three matches so far. The English young guns will have the added motivation of stopping this Irish side from achieving 3 Grand Slams on the bounce and haven't beaten Ireland since 2021.
It is a huge game for these sides and the winner will most likely claim the Grand Slam.
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19 March 2023; Brian Gleeson of Ireland celebrates as team mate George Hadden scores their side's third try during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and England at Musgrave Park in Cork. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
When Is Ireland U20 v England U20?
The game will take place this Friday 9th March at the home of Bath Rugby, the Rec. Kick off is 7:15pm
What Channel Is Ireland U20 v England U20?
The game will be live on RTE2 and coverage will start at 7pm
Teams
Ireland are still without star number 8 Brian Gleeson through injury and Sean Edogbo is starting from the bench ahead of the match in Bath. Alex Usanov, Danny Sheahan, Jacob Boyd and Alan Spicer all return to the starting lineup in the four changes made by Richie Murphy.
15. Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster)
14. Finn Treacy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
13. Wilhelm de Klerk (UCD RFC/Leinster)
12. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
11. Hugo McLaughlin (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
10. Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
9. Oliver Coffey (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
1. Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
2. Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
3. Jacob Boyd (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
4. Alan Spicer (UCD RFC/Leinster)
5. Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(captain)
6. Joe Hopes (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
7. Bryn Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
8. Luke Murphy (Shannon RFC/Munster)
Replacements:
16. Henry Walker (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
17. Ben Howard (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
18. Patreece Bell (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)
19. Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
20. Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster)
21. Tadhg Brophy (Naas RFC/Leinster)
22. Sean Naughton (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
23. Davy Colbert (Dublin University FC/Leinster).
The Ireland U20s team to face England in Bath! 🟢#FutureIsGreen
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) March 6, 2024
For England head coach Mark Mapletoft has made 5 changes to the team that beat Scotland. Ben Waghorn and Josh Bellamy come into the backline at 13 and 10 respectfully. Jacob Olver is in at hooker and second row pairing of Olamide Sodeke and Racing 92's Junior Kpoku are in the starting line up.
15. Ben Redshaw (Newcastle Falcons, West Park Leeds RFC)
14. Toby Cousins (Northampton Saints, Bugbrooke RFC)
13. Ben Waghorn (Harlequins, Chipstead Rugby Club)
12. Sean Kerr (Harlequins, Effingham and Leatherhead RFC)
11. Alex Wills (Sale Sharks, Stourbridge Rugby)
10. Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park)
9. Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Ruthin RFC)
1. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, Broadstreet RFC)
2. Jacob Oliver (Newcastle Falcons, Barnard Castle Rugby Club)
3. Billy Sela (Bath Rugby, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC)
4. Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby)
5. Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs)
6. Finn Carnduff (c) (Leicester Tigers, Market Harborough RFC)
7. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Banbury RFC)
8. Nathan Michelow (Saracens, Coopers Company and Coborn School)
Replacements:
16. James Isaacs (Saracens, Hemel Hempstead Camelot RFC)
17. Scott Kirk (Bath Rugby, Michaelhouse College)
18. James Halliwell (Bristol Bears, Thornbury Broncos Rugby Club)
19. Zach Carr (Harlequins, Ironsides Rugby Club)
20. Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St Peters RFC)
21. Ben Douglas (Newcastle Falcons, Northern Football Club)
22. George Makepeace-Cubitt (Rams RFC, Reading Abbey RFC)
23. Oli Spencer (Newcastle Falcons, Epping Rams Rugby)
Big match. Big decisions 🌹
Mark Mapletoft names his England U20 Men’s team to face Ireland as the tournament’s two unbeaten sides go head to head in the @SixNationsU20 on Friday night in Bath.— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 6, 2024
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