IRELAND COACH NOEL McNamara has three uncapped players in his starting line-up for a tough U20 World Championship opener against France tomorrow (kick-off 8pm Irish time).

Munster duo Peter Sylvester and Dan Hurley start at inside centre and left wing respectively. Leinster’s Tom Roche will also play his first U20 international with a starting berth on the right wing.

With his brother Ross hoping to win a Test cap in Australia in the coming weeks, Harry Byrne continues at out-half, partnered by Hugh O’Sullivan.

In a back row that looks strong despite the absence of Jack O’Sullivan, Leinster’s Caelan Doris captains the side from number eight and he is flanked by Ulster’s Joe Dunleavy and Matthew Agnew.

Two more new caps could come from Ireland’s bench with Trinity front rows Dan Sheehan and Joe Byrne. As veterans of last summer’s tournament, Jordan Duggan, Jonny Stewart and Conor Dean will hope to provide impact as replacements.

Joe Dunleavy during the Six Nations. Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO

The opening fixture of a tough campaign for Ireland will see them take on the host nation with Clement Laporte and Romain Ntamack guiding their back-line in Perpignan.

The match will be broadcast live on eir Sport and on WorldRugby.org (geo-blocked).

Ireland U20 (v France)

15. Michael Silvester (Dublin University/Leinster)
14. Tom Roche (Lansdowne/Leinster)
13. Tommy O’Brien (UCD/Leinster)
12. Peter Sylvester (UCC/Munster)
11. Dan Hurley (Young Munster/Munster)
10. Harry Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
9. Hugh O’Sullivan (Clontarf/Leinster)

1. James French (UCC/Munster)
2. Diarmuid Barron (Garryowen/Munster)
3. Jack Aungier (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
4. Matthew Dalton (Malone/Ulster)
5. Jack Dunne (Dublin University/Leinster)
6. Joe Dunleavy Malone(/Ulster)
7. Matthew Agnew (Ballymena/Ulster)
8. Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) Captain

Replacements:

16. Dan Sheehan (Dublin University/Leinster)
17. Jordan Duggan (Naas/Leinster)
18. Joe Byrne (Dublin University/Leinster)
19. Charlie Ryan (UCD/Leinster)
20. Aaron Hall (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
21. Jonny Stewart (Queen’s University/ Ulster)
22. Conor Dean (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
23. Sean O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)

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