NIGEL CAROLAN HAS made four changes to his Ireland U20 side as they prepare for tomorrow’s clash with Scotland in the World Championship in Italy [KO 15.30 Irish time, TG4].
Ciaran Gaffney is fit again after an ankle injury ruled him out of Tuesday’s opening win against Argentina at a late stage, the Connacht man replacing Jacob Stockdale in the starting XV.
In the front row, Andrew Porter starts at loosehead prop after Jeremy Loughman’s tournament was ended by a broken nose sustained early in the game against the Pumitas.
Cork Con man Liam O’Connor is in line to make his debut at this level after being called into the squad to replace Loughman.
There’s another change to the front row as Sean McNulty of UCD is selected ahead of Ulsterman Zack McCall at hooker. Ireland had issues at the lineout against Argentina, while McNulty impressed off the bench in that game.
The final change to the pack sees Munster academy man Conor Oliver start at openside flanker in place of Rory Moloney, who was forced off with an injury on Tuesday.
We had a shaky start to the tournament but it’s good to have the win under our belt,” said head coach Carolan of the dramatic 18-16 win over Argentina.
“We narrowly lost to Scotland during the Six Nations this year so we are aware of the challenge ahead of us. We know we have a tough battle on our hands, but that’s what we have prepared for.
“We are all looking forward to the game and hopefully we can perform to our potential.”
Ireland U20 (v Scotland):
15. Billy Dardis (UCD/Leinster)
14. Ciaran Gaffney (Galwegians/Connacht)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)
12. Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
11. Stephen Fitzgerald (Shannon/Munster)
10. Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster)
9. Nick McCarthy (UCD/Leinster) (captain)
1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)
2. Sean McNulty (UCD/Leinster)
3. Oisin Heffernan (Terenure College/Leinster)
4. David O’Connor (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
5. Alex Thompson (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster)
6. Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster)
7. Conor Oliver (St Mary’s/ Leinster)
8. Lorcan Dow (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster)
Replacements:
16. Zack McCall (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster)
17. Liam O’Connor (Cork Constitution /Munster)
18. Conan O’Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht)
19. Jack Dwan (UCD/Leinster)
20. Nick Timoney (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
21. Charlie Rock (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
22. Tomás Quinlan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
23. Jacob Stockdale (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster)
Scotland U20:
15. Ruairi Howarth
14. Robbie Nairn
13. Tom Galbraith
12. Patrick Kelly
11. Alec Coombes
10. Blair Kinghorn
9. George Horne
1. Murray McCallum
2. Sam James
3. Zander Fagerson
4. Scott Cummings
5. Lewis Carmichael
6. Neil Irvine-Hess
7. Jamie Ritchie (captain)
8. Magnus Bradbury
Replacements:
16. Ross Graham
17. Dan Elkington
18. Jack Owlett
19. Andrew Davidson
20. Ruaridh Knott
21. Ben Vellacott
22. Rory Hutchinson
23. Richard Galloway
