AFTER AN 11-point defeat to Wales last week, Ireland U20 head coach Nigel Carolan has made a host of changes for the trip to Narbonne to face France on Friday night.
With Jack Power injured, Hugo Keegan moves to full back from the wing with Conor O’Brien coming in to take his place on the left.
In the pack, Conan O’Donnell has to settle for a place among the replacements with Conor Kenny of Buccaneers starting at tighthead.
In the backrow, Dan Walsh will win his first U20 cap at number seven with the injured Will Connors dropping out of the side completely.
Kelvin Brown, who impressed coming off the bench last week, will once again have to settle for a place among the replacements alongside Ireland Sevens player Terry Kennedy who could win his first U20 cap if he comes on.
The game, which is live on RTÉ2, will kick-off on Friday is at 8.05pm.
Ireland U20 XV to face France
15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)
14. Matthew Byrne (Terenure College/Leinster)
13. Shane Daly (Cork Constitution/Munster)
12. Jimmy O’Brien (UCD/Leinster)
11. Conor O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
10. Johnny McPhillips (Queen’s University/Ulster)
9. John Poland (Cork Constitution/Munster)
1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)
2. Adam McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster)
3. Conor Kenny (Buccaneers/Connacht)
4. Peter Claffey (Galwegians/Connacht)
5. James Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster) (capt)
6. Cillian Gallagher (Sligo/Connacht)
7. Dan Walsh (Cork Constitution/Munster)
8. Max Deegan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Replacements:
16. Shane Fenton (Young Munster/Munster)
17. James Bollard (Dublin University/Leinster)
18. Conan O’Donnell (Sligo/Connacht)
19. Sean O’Connor (Cashel/Munster)
20. Kelvin Brown (Shannon/Munster)
21. Stephen Kerins (Sligo/Connacht)
22. Brett Connon (Newcastle Falcons/Exiles)
23. Terry Kennedy (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
