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Ronan Kelleher prepares to throw in against Italy. Achi Gegenava/INPHO
Team-Sheet

Munster hooker Moloney joins Ireland U20 squad in time for Scotland clash

Ronan Kelleher is one of six changes for Ireland as they target a big response to defeat against Italy.

THE REVOLVING DOOR for Ireland U20 hookers continued in the wake of the World Rugby U20 Championship defeat to Italy.

Diarmuid Barron, who himself was a late call-up in place of new Saracens signing Tadhg McElroy, fractured his thumb in the loss to the Azzurri and has been replaced in the squad by Shannon and Munster man Adam Moloney.

Ronan Kelleher, brother of Connacht wing Cian, will start the second match of the Championship as Ireland look to bounce back against Scotland tomorrow (KO 10am Irish time, Eir Sport).

There are five further changes made by Peter Malone: debutant Jordan Duggan stands in for Joey Conway (back tightness) while Sean Masterson and Caelan Doris come into the back row in place of Marcus Rea and Gavin Coombes.

Coombes will take a place on the bench alongside Jonny Stewart, who is displaced at scrum-half by Jack Stafford earning his  first start for Ireland U20. Young Munster’s Alan Tynan is named at fullback with wing Colm Hogan making way in the back three reshuffle.

Alan Tynan Alan Tynan Tommy Grealy / INPHO Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO

Angus Curtis and Michael Silvester will hope to win their first U20 caps from the bench.

“Italy was a tough game and everyone was really disappointed with the result, but you can’t afford to dwell on these things in this type of tournament,” says head coach Malone.

“We’ve reviewed that game and looked at the key areas that went wrong for us. We’ve also had the chance to look at Scotland and we know from our meeting during the Six Nations it’s going to be another tough game.”

Ireland U20 (v Scotland)

15. Alan Tynan (Young Munster/ Munster)
14. Jack Kelly (Dublin University/ Leinster)
13. Gavin Mullin (UCD/ Leinster)
12. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/ Leinster)
11. Calvin Nash (Young Munster / Munster)
10. Conor Dean (St. Mary’s/ Leinster)
9. Jack Stafford (Shannon/ Munster)

1. Jordan Duggan (Naas/Leinster)*
2. Ronan Kelleher (UCD/ Leinster)
3. Charlie Connolly (Dublin University/Leinster)
4. Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster/ Munster)
5. Oisin Dowling (Lansdowne/ Leinster)
6. Sean Masterson (Corinthians/ Connacht)
7. Paul Boyle (Lansdowne/ Leinster) Captain
8. Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)

Replacements:

16. Adam Moloney (Shannon/Munster)
17. Greg McGrath (Lansdowne/ Leinster)
18. Peter Cooper (Belfast Harlequins/ Ulster)
19. Jack Regan (UCD/ Leinster)
20. Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/ Munster)
21. Jonny Stewart (Queen’s University/ Ulster)
22. Angus Curtis (Queen’s University/ Ulster) *
23. Michael Silvester (Dublin University/Leinster)*

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