Ireland head coach Richie Murphy has named a strong team for Saturday night's U20 Six Nations clash with France in Aix-en-Provence.
The team, sponsored by PwC, features five players in the starting side who featured in the 2023 Grand Slam-winning campaign.
Those are second row and captain Evan O'Connell, centre Hugo Gavin, hooker Danny Sheahan and back rows Joe Hopes and Brian Gleeson.
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
There is also a spot in the starting team for Cork All-Ireland minor and U20 winning hurler Ben O'Connor. The Munster man starts at fullback.
Saturday's match, which kicks off at 8:10pm Irish time, will be shown live on Virgin Media Two.
15 May 2023; Ben O'Connor of Cork during the oneills.com Munster GAA Hurling U20 Championship Final match between Cork and Clare at TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Ireland U20 team to face France in Six Nations
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. Andrew Sparrow (UCD RFC/Leinster)
4. Alan Spicer (UCD RFC/Leinster)
5. Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) (capt)
6. Joe Hopes (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
7. Bryn Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
8. Brian Gleeson (Garryowen FC/Munster)
Replacements:
16. Henry Walker (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
17. Ben Howard (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
18. Jacob Boyd (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
19. Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
20. Luke Murphy (Shannon RFC/Munster)
21. Tadhg Brophy (Naas RFC/Leinster)
22. Sean Naughton (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
23. Ethan Graham (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
