Ireland U20 head coach Noel McNamara has made four changes to his starting team to play England on Friday from the side which defeated Wales last time out.
Ulster pair Ethan McIlroy and Hayden Hyde return to the side following illness. Leinster's John McKee will make his first start of the championship at hooker while provincial teammate Alex Soroka comes into the backrow to replace the injured Marcus Hernan. Soroka coming into the team at blindside means that Sean O'Brien switches to openside.
"We’re pleased to have won the opening two games, while still recognising that there is room for growth," said McNamara.
The players are ambitious and they are constantly looking for improvements in their performance, both individually and collectively and that’s the target for Friday night.
The fallow week was important as it allowed the players to take a breath and recover, as well as review the first block of games and look ahead to this weekend.
We also had a great session with the Ireland Senior team at our home in Irish Independent Park and are now firmly focused on the challenge ahead against England.
The game, which takes place at Franklins Gardens, will be live on Sky Sports Mix at 7:45pm on Friday night.
Just like their senior counterparts, Ireland have won their opening two games of the U20 Six Nations against Scotland and Wales
Ireland U20 team to play England
15. Oran McNulty (Millfield School/Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
14. Ethan McIlroy (Methody College/Queens University RFC/Ulster)
13. Dan Kelly (Kirkham Grammar/Loughborough University/IQ Rugby)
12. Hayden Hyde (Cranleigh School/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
11. Andrew Smith (St. Michael’s College/Clontarf FC/Leinster)
10. Jack Crowley (Bandon RFC/Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
9. Lewis Finlay (Down High School/Malone RFC/Ulster)
1. Marcus Hanan (Clane RFC/Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
2. John McKee (Campbell College/Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
3. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Dublin University FC/Leinster)
4. Thomas Ahern (Waterpark RFC/Shannon RFC/Munster)
5. Brian Deeny (Wexford Wanderers RFC/Clontarf FC/Leinster)
6. Alex Soroka (Belvedere College/Dublin University FC/Leinster)
7. Sean O’Brien (Blackrock College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
8. David McCann (RBAI/Banbridge RFC/Ulster) (captain)
Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart (Belfast Royal Academy/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
17. Harry Noonan (Greystones RFC/Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
18. Charlie Ward (Tullow RFC/Clontarf FC/Leinster)
19. Joe McCarthy (Blackrock College/Dublin University FC/Leinster)
20. Cian Prendergast (Newbridge College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
21. Ben Murphy (Presentation College Bray/Clontarf FC/Leinster)
22. Tim Corkery (Kilkenny RFC/Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
23. Max O’Reilly (St Gerard’s School/Dublin University FC/Leinster).
Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
