IRELAND HEAD COACH Peter Malone has made 12 changes to his side ahead of Ireland’s final pool game against Pool B leaders New Zealand at the U20 World Championships.
Following successive defeats to Italy and Scotland, Ireland’s semi-final dreams have been dashed while New Zealand will be looking to make it three from three in Georgia tomorrow [12.30pm Irish time, live on Eir Sport].
Just full back Alan Tynan, winning his third cap, back-row Sean Masterson and captain Jack Kelly have retained their places from the side that were beaten 32-28 by Scotland on Sunday.
A new-look front row will see Joey Conway and Greg McGrath start alongside hooker Adam Maloney. Jack Regan and Gavin Coombes partner in the second row, while Masterson and flankers Marcus Rea and John Foley make up the back row.
David McCarthy earns his first Ireland U20 cap alongside Kelly in the centre. Liam Coombes, who joined the squad this week as an injury replacement, lines out for his first cap on one wing, while Michael Silvester, who came off the bench against Scotland, patrols the other.
Ireland will be hoping to end their disappointing pool matches on a high, and emulate the feat as the U20s became the first-ever Irish men’s side to beat New Zealand last June.
“It’s been a difficult opening to the tournament for the team,” Malone said at today’s captain run at the Kutaisi Stadium. “But we have a young side and while everyone is disappointed that the results haven’t gone our way so far, the players will have gained a lot from those two games.
“There’s more players gaining their first U20s caps tomorrow so it gives them the opportunity to show what they can do in an Ireland jersey.
“New Zealand have looked impressive in their opening games against Scotland and Italy so we will need to take the learnings from our opening games and be ready for a huge test tomorrow.”
Ireland U20 (v New Zealand):
15. Alan Tynan (Young Munster/ Munster)
14. Michael Silvester (Dublin University/Leinster)
13. Jack Kelly (Dublin University/ Leinster) Capt.
12. David McCarthy (Garryowen/Munster)
11. Liam Coombes (Garryowen/Munster)
10. Conor Fitzgerald (Shannon/Munster)
9. Jonny Stewart (Queen’s University/ Ulster)
1. Joey Conway (UL Bohemians/Munster)
2. Adam Moloney (Shannon/Munster)
3. Greg McGrath (Lansdowne/ Leinster)
4. Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/ Munster)
5. Jack Regan (UCD/ Leinster)
6. Marcus Rea (Queen’s University/Ulster)
7. John Foley (Shannon/Munster)
8. Sean Masterson (Corinthians/ Connacht)
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher (UCD/ Leinster)
17. Jordan Duggan (Naas/Leinster)
18. Charlie Connolly (Dublin University/Leinster)
19. Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster/ Munster)
20. Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
21. Jack Stafford (Shannon/ Munster)
22. Conor Dean (St. Mary’s/ Leinster)
23. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/ Leinster)
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