Given the talent at both coaches’ disposal and Donnybrook’s 4G pitch, an exciting fast-paced encounter is expected when the Ireland and England Under-20s face off in the U-20 RBS 6 Nations tonight.
2015 UNDER-20 RBS 6 NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP: Friday, February 27
IRELAND UNDER-20s (1st) v ENGLAND UNDER-20s (2nd), Donnybrook, 7.05pm (live RTÉ Two/www.rte.ie/live (island of Ireland only)/Sky Sports 3 HD)
Team News: Ireland Under-20 head coach Nigel Carolan has named an unchanged team to the one that overcame France 37-20 in their last outing of the Championship a fortnight ago.
There is one alteration on the replacements bench where Fergal Cleary makes way for Harrison Brewer, who was part of last year’s Ireland Under-20 squad.
“We are in a good place mid-tournament with two wins from two. While the display against France was very pleasing, the English side will bring a huge amount of physicality with them, so we know the challenge we face,” said Carolan.
“If we can match them in the physical department, we hope to reproduce a similar performance like we did two weeks ago. The squad have worked very hard in training and are relishing the opportunity to play on a fast pitch at Donnybrook in front of a vocal home crowd.”
Tickets for this game, which will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2 and Sky Sports 3 HD, are available from www.ticketmaster.ie or at the gate tonight. Prices start at €;15 for adults and €;5 for children.
Meanwhile, England Under-20 boss Jon Callard has made six changes to the side that beat Italy 61-0, with 2014 Junior World Championship winners and Saracens duo Aaron Morris and Nick Tompkins both coming back into the starting line-up.
There is also an Under-20 debut for out-half Oliver Bryant, while his half-back partner James Mitchell, tighthead prop Ciaran Parker and flanker Joe Batley will also make their first starts.
U-20 RBS 6 Nations Fixtures/Results
IRELAND U-20: Billy Dardis (UCD/Leinster); Jack Owens (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster), Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster), Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Stephen Fitzgerald (Shannon/Munster); Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster), Nick McCarthy (UCD/Leinster) (capt); Jeremy Loughman (UCD/Leinster), Zack McCall (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster), Oisin Heffernan (Terenure College/Leinster), David O’Connor (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Alex Thompson (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster), Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster), Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/Connacht), Lorcan Dow (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster).
Replacements: Adam McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster), Michael Lagan (Ballymena/Ulster), Conan O’Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht), Cian Romaine (Buccaneers/Connacht), Nick Timoney (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Jack Cullen (Shannon/Munster), Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster), Harrison Brewer (Terenure College.Leinster).
ENGLAND U-20: Aaron Morris (Saracens); George Perkins (Saracens), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Howard Packman (Northampton Saints); Oliver Bryant (Leicester Tigers), James Mitchell (Sale Sharks); Ellis Genge (Bristol), Jack Walker (Yorkshire Carnegie), Ciaran Parker (Sale Sharks), Kieran Treadwell (Harlequins), Charlie Ewels (Bath) (capt), Joe Batley (Gloucester), Will Owen (Leicester Tigers), James Chisholm (Harlequins).
Replacements: Jack Innard (Exeter Chiefs), Seb Adeniran-Olule (Harlequins), Paul Hill (Yorkshire Carnegie), Charlie Beckett (Leicester Tigers), Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs), Will Homer (Bath), Piers O’Conor (Wasps), Tom Howe (Wasps).
Referee: Thomas Charabas (France)
Assistant Referees: Cédric Marchat, Vivien Praderie (both France)
Television Match Official: Vincent Azoulay (France)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Ireland U-20s to win: 10/11; Draw: 20/1; England U-20s to win: 10/11
Pre-Match Quotes – Nick McCarthy (Ireland U-20s): “We have had two really good wins and we’ve a good bit of momentum behind us. But we’ve parked those two now. We’ve got our focus on England now and we’re really looking forward to it. It’s a massive challenge for us.
“Wales did really well against them (England), fronted up physically and got off the line in defence to put them under pressure. I think we can match Wales in that sense and it will definitely help.
“We’ve got a really good back-line and if we get to run teams around, we’ll be in a good spot. If the boys do well up front, they’ll give us a good platform to attack out wide.
“I guess England are always traditionally a massive, physical side and you really have to stand up to them in that you can’t give them too much respect. I think it’s just important that we get our defence right. As you saw in the French game, our attack is going well so if we get that defence right, we’ll be in a good place.”
Jon Callard (England U-20s): “Playing Ireland in Ireland will be a huge test – it’s one of the biggest in rugby. And from what we’ve seen they are a very good, physical side with lots of pace. But we’re excited by that, we’ve got pace in our side and on the 4G pitch it should make for a great spectacle.
“We’ve had an excellent week training, and although we have had to be patient regarding the availability of a couple of players, it’s great experience for our guys.
“We’re delighted to bring Nick (Tompkins) and Aaron (Thomas) back into the fold, excellent medical work from both club and the union has seen them both back fit and raring to go. They both played last season and that experience and know-how should stand us in good stead.”
Pre-Match Links –
Ireland Under-20s Show Class To Defeat Defending Champions
In Pics: Ireland U-20s 37 France U-20s 20
Match Facts –
– Ireland have kicked off this season’s Under-20 campaign with a pair of victories, their best start since they won their opening four games in the 2012 tournament
– Ireland’s only home defeat at U-20 Six Nations level since 2011 came when Wales visited Dubarry Park in round 2 last season
– This is the Ireland Under-20s’ first ever home game at anywhere other than Dubarry Park in Athlone, although the Irish Under-21s had a won 3, drawn 1, lost 4 record at Donnybrook between 1989 and 2005
– Ireland out-half Ross Byrne is the top points scorer so far in this season’s Under-20 Six Nations with 29 points (10 conversions and three penalties)
– The England Under-20s have lost just one of their last eleven encounters: 21-15 to Wales at Colwyn Bay in round 1 earlier this month
– England have never lost successive away games in the same season of the Under-20 Six Nations
– The two sides have met on 13 previous occasions, with the England Under-20s having the edge by eight wins to five
Recent Meetings –
2013: U-20 RBS 6 Nations: Ireland U-20s 16 England U-20s 15, Dubarry Park
2014: U-20 RBS 6 Nations: England U-20s 33 Ireland U-20s 9, Franklin’s Gardens; IRB Junior World Championship Semi-Final: England U-20s 42 Ireland U-20s 15, QBE Stadium, Auckland
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