David Kearney, Eamonn Sheridan and Ian Madigan are the experienced members among the backs, having been part of the U-20 Six Nations and Junior World Championship squads last year.

Queen's University student James Sandford is the only survivor in the forwards from the 2008 panel.

Clarke and his coaching team will reduce the squad to 22 on Wednesday,when they select the starting team and replacements for the match.

IRELAND UNDER-20 SQUAD (v France, Under-20 Six Nations Championship, Dubarry Park, Athlone, Friday, February 6, kick-off 7.30pm):

Backs:

Andrew Burke (Garryowen/Munster)
John Cooney (UCD/Leinster)
Gary Foley (Blackrock College/Leinster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Michael Keating (Clontarf/Leinster)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Ian McKinley (UCD/Leinster)
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
John O'Brien (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Ronan O'Mahony (Garryowen/Munster)
Eamonn Sheridan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Forwards:

Mark Flanagan (UCD/Leinster)
Adam Macklin (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Michael Noone (Seapoint /Leinster)
Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Paddy McAllister (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Jack McConnell (Lansdowne/Leinster)
David McGregor (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Ciaran Ruddock (Ospreys/Exiles)
Rhys Ruddock (Ospreys/Exiles)
James Sandford (Queen's University/Ulster)
Thomas Sexton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)