Already assured of a first Under-20 Six Nations title since 2010, the Ireland U-20s will chase more history on the north Wales coast tonight as they aim for their first win in four visits to Colwyn Bay’s Parc Eirias and the ultimate prize of Grand Slam glory.
2019 UNDER-20 SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP: Friday, March 15
WALES UNDER-20s (4th) v IRELAND UNDER-20s (1st), Zip World Stadium, Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay, 7.05pm (live RTÉ 2/www.rte.ie/player/S4C)
Team News: Head coach Noel McNamara has selected the Ireland Under-20 team, sponsored by PwC, to play Wales in tonight’s eagerly-awaited U-20 Six Nations final round tie at Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay.
There is one change to the side that claimed a 31-29 win over France in front of sell-out 8,008-strong crowd in Cork, with the result confirming Ireland as U-20 Six Nations champions with a round still to play. Harry Byrne is fit to resume at out-half after missing last week’s game with a hip flexor injury.
The half-back pairing that Ireland kicked off the Championship with is reunited as Craig Casey, who suffered a knee injury against France, is set to start alongside Byrne. Munster Academy talent Sean French continues at inside centre as captain David Hawkshaw has unfortunately had to undergo knee surgery and will miss the rest of the season.
Ireland will field the same starting pack for the fifth game in a row, with loosehead Josh Wycherley starring against the French with two tries in a man-of-the-match performance. Dylan Tierney-Martin, Thomas Clarkson, Charlie Ryan, who captains the team for the second time, and Niall Murray complete the tight five.
Strong-carrying number 8 John Hodnett has flankers Martin Moloney and Scott Penny for company again in a combative back row, while all four provinces are represented on the replacements bench. Galwegians prop Ryan Lomas is standing by to win his first Ireland Under-20 cap if called upon.
Tickets are priced at £15 for reserved seating and £10 adults/£5 Under-16s for terrace standing. Tickets can be purchased from Venue Cymru by calling 01492 872000 or by clicking here (there is £1 booking fee). Supporters can purchase accessible seating by calling Colwyn Leisure Centre on 01492 577900.
Meanwhile, Wales U-20 head coach Gareth Williams has made five personnel changes and two positional switches to the side that lost 27-20 away to Scotland. Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler, who lined out for the Ospreys recently against Ulster and Munster, gets his first start of the campaign at outside centre.
Scarlets’ Tomi Lewis returns on the right wing with Leicester Tigers out-half Sam Costelow getting the nod after a bright cameo off the bench against the Scots. The rejigged back-line sees Cai Evans move to full-back with Ioan Davies, a try scorer against Italy in the second round, now positioned on the left wing.
With the changes up front seeing Rhys Davies and Dragons lock Ed Scragg return to the front row and second row respectively, Williams said: “Ed gets another start, a reward for his performances, and he continued his good form against Scotland as a second half replacement.
“Sam Costelow’s first start is a reward for how he has been performing throughout the Six Nations, especially for that 15 to 20 minutes against Scotland. Cai Evans has been retained in the team because he has been quality throughout the competition and is yet to miss a kick at goal.”
Under-20 Six Nations Results/Fixtures
Under-20 Six Nations Table
WALES U-20: Cai Evans (Ospreys); Tomi Lewis (Scarlets), Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler (Ospreys), Aneurin Owen (Dragons), Ioan Davies (Cardiff Blues); Sam Costelow (Leicester Tigers) Dafydd Buckland (Dragons); Rhys Davies (Ospreys), Dewi Lake (Ospreys) (capt), Ben Warren (Cardiff Blues), Ed Scragg (Dragons), Teddy Williams (Cardiff Blues), Ellis Thomas (Llanelli), Jac Morgan (Aberarvon/Scarlets), Iestyn Rees (Scarlets).
Replacements: Will Griffiths (Dragons), Tom Devine (Dragons), Nick English (Bristol Bears), Jac Price (Scarlets), Ioan Rhys Davies (Cardiff Blues), Dan Babos (Dragons), Max Llewellyn (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Conbeer (Scarlets).
IRELAND U-20: Jake Flannery (Shannon/Munster); Angus Kernohan (Queen’s University/Ulster), Liam Turner (Dublin University/Leinster), Sean French (Cork Constitution/Munster), Jonathan Wren (Cork Constitution/Munster); Harry Byrne (Lansdowne/Leinster), Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster); Josh Wycherley (Young Munster/Munster), Dylan Tierney-Martin (Corinthians/Connacht), Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster), Charlie Ryan (UCD/Leinster) (capt), Niall Murray (Buccaneers/Connacht), Martin Moloney (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Scott Penny (UCD/Leinster), John Hodnett (UCC/Munster).
Replacements: John McKee (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Callum Reid (Banbridge/Ulster), Ryan Lomas (Galwegians/Connacht), Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster), David McCann (Banbridge/Ulster), Cormac Foley (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Ben Healy (Garryowen/Munster), Rob Russell (Dublin University/Leinster).
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant Referees: Jack Makepeace, Neil Chivers (both England)
Television Match Official: Stuart Terheege (England)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Wales U-20s to win: 13/5; Draw: 20/1; Ireland U-20s to win: 3/10
Pre-Match Quotes – Noel McNamara (Ireland U-20s):
It was great to win the title with last week’s win over France, but it’s testament to the players how they’ve parked the victory and are fully focused on what can be achieved in Wales this Friday night.
“They are a really tight-knit group, which I think has been evident in their performances over the last number of weeks. They have one final test this week and the group are really relishing the challenge and opportunity that Friday will bring.”
Gareth Williams (Wales U-20s):
It was a big aim of ours to win the Championship but that is obviously off the table after our disappointing defeat to Scotland last time out but Friday is still a Test match at international level, against a traditional rival in Ireland so I’m sure it will be a fantastic occasion.
“Ireland will be very driven to finish the job off after claiming the Championship with one round to go but if we show the quality and passion from the England game then we should be able to give a good account of ourselves.
“We know Ireland are seeking a Grand Slam, but we are focused on ourselves, we’re appreciative of how well they have done this campaign and they are a real threat and possess leadership across the park. But the boys are determined to finish the campaign off on a high note in front of a big home crowd.”
Pre-Match Links –
Recent Meetings –
2016: Under-20 Six Nations: Ireland U-20s 24 Wales U-20s 35, Donnybrook; World Rugby Under-20 Championship – Pool A: Wales U-20s 25 Ireland U-20s 26, Manchester City Academy Stadium, Manchester
2017: Under-20 Six Nations: Wales U-20s 41 Ireland U-20s 27, Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay
2018: Under-20 Six Nations: Ireland U-20s 38 Wales U-20s 41, Donnybrook
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