THE IRELAND U20 TEAM to play Italy in the Six Nations at the Stadio Enrico Chersoni in Prato on Friday night [KO 6.00pm] shows two changes in personnel from last weekend’s win over Scotland.
With captain Jack Kelly ruled out due to a shoulder injury he sustained in Cumbernauld on Friday, Colm Hogan moves from the wing to full-back. Having made his Munster senior debut as a starter in their Guinness Pro12 victory over Edinburgh on the same night, Calvin Nash has been handed the number 11 shirt by head coach Nigel Carolan.
The other change is in the front row, where injury has also left tighthead prop Peter Cooper unavailable for selection. His place is taken by Charlie Connolly.
In the absence of Jack Kelly, Connacht flanker Cillian Gallagher will captain the team against an Italian side that suffered a 5-27 defeat to Wales in their opening fixture.
“It was tough going last Friday night in Glasgow,” Nigel Carolan said. “The conditions made it challenging and with 21 of the 23 players involved gaining their first experience of international rugby at this level, the fact that we came away with the result against a very good Scottish side is a big positive.
“The Italians are ever improving, so we are expecting another tough encounter, particularly up front, where they made life difficult for Wales last week. We have made a couple of changes for this week, so for the players selected, we’re looking for them to build on their experience from last week and continue to develop as a team.”
Ireland U20 (v Italy):
15. Colm Hogan (Dublin University/Munster)
14. Jordan Larmour (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
13. Gavin Mullin (UCD RFC/Leinster)
12. Ciaran Frawley (UCD RFC/Leinster)
11. Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster)
10. Johnny McPhillips (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
9. Johnny Stewart (Queen’s University/Ulster)
1. Joey Conway (UL Bohemians/Munster)
2. Tadgh McElroy (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
3. Charlie Connolly (Dublin University/Leinster)
4. Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster/Munster)
5. Oisin Dowling (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
6. Cillian Gallagher (Corinthians/Connacht — captain)
7. Paul Boyle (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
8. Caelan Doris (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
Replacements:
16. Adam Moloney (Shannon RFC/Munster)
17. Rory Mulvihill (UCD RFC/Leinster)
18. Matthew Burke (Corinthians/Connacht)
19. Jack Regan (UCD RFC/Leinster)
20. Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/Munster)
21. Jack Lyons (Young Munster/Munster)
22. Conor Fitzgerald (Shannon RFC/Munster)
23. Tommy O’Brien (UCD RFC/Leinster)
