The Ireland Under-20s are hoping to chalk up win number two when they resume their World Rugby U-20 Championship tilt against familiar foes Scotland in Calvisano.
2015 WORLD RUGBY UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIP – POOL C: Saturday, June 6
IRELAND UNDER-20s (2nd) v SCOTLAND UNDER-20s (4th), Stadio San Michele, Calvisano, 4.30pm local time/3.30pm Irish time (live TG4/TG4 Player/BT Sport 2)
Team News: Ireland Under-20 head coach Nigel Carolan has made four changes to the side that overcame Argentina 18-16 in their opening Pool C outing on Tuesday.
Galwegians clubman Ciaran Gaffney is named on the right wing having recovered from an ankle injury he picked up before the first game. He joins Stephen Fitzgerald and Billy Dardis in the back-three.
The rest of the back-line is unchanged with Garry Ringrose and Sam Arnold continuing in the centre and captain Nick McCarthy and Joey Carbery, the scorer of five penalties against Argentina, combine again at half-back.
There are two alterations to the front row where UCD and Leinster duo Andrew Porter and Sean McNulty make their first starts at Under-20 level, packing down alongside Terenure tighthead Oisin Heffernan.
David O’Connor and Alex Thompson link up once more in the second row, while flanker Conor Oliver, a new member of the Munster Academy for 2015/16, comes into the back row alongside Josh Murphy and number 8 Lorcan Dow.
Meanwhile, Scotland U-20 boss Sean Lineen has made eight changes to the side that started their 68-10 loss to New Zealand in midweek.
After dropping out through illness before the New Zealand game, winger Robbie Nairn comes in to make his first start for the Scottish U-20s, with Ruairi Howarth and Alec Coombes retaining their spots at full-back and on the left wing respectively.
Patrick Kelly comes in at inside centre, with Tom Galbraith sliding over one position to occupy the number 13 jersey. Archie Russell is unavailable for selection as he serves a two-match ban for a dangerous tackle.
Blair Kinghorn makes his first U-20 start, slotting in alongside George Horne in a new half-back partnership. Murray McCallum and Zander Fagerson, who started all five games in the Six Nations, come into the front row alongside retained hooker Sam James.
Lewis Carmichael, Scotland’s lone try scorer against New Zealand, will once again start in the second row alongside Scott Cummings.
Openside flanker Jamie Ritchie resumes his captaincy duties, with Neil Irvine-Hess and Magnus Bradbury promoted from the bench to join him in the back row. Ally Miller and Lewis Wynne are unavailable for selection due to injury.
World Rugby U-20 Championship Fixtures/Results
IRELAND U-20: Billy Dardis (UCD/Leinster); Ciaran Gaffney (Galwegians/Connacht), Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster), Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Stephen Fitzgerald (Shannon/Munster); Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster), Nick McCarthy (UCD/Leinster) (capt); Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster), Sean McNulty (UCD/Leinster), Oisin Heffernan (Terenure College/Leinster), David O’Connor (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Alex Thompson (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster), Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster), Conor Oliver (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Lorcan Dow (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster).
Replacements: Zack McCall (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster), Liam O’Connor (Cork Constitution/Munster), Conan O’Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht), Jack Dwan (UCD/Leinster), Nick Timoney (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Charlie Rock (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Tomás Quinlan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Jacob Stockdale (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster).
SCOTLAND U-20: Ruairi Howarth (Edinburgh/Gala); Robbie Nairn (Harlequins), Tom Galbraith (Melrose), Patrick Kelly (Le Parc), Alec Coombes (London Scottish); Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh), George Horne (Glasgow Hawks); Murray McCallum (Aberdeen Grammar Rugby), Sam James (Bedford Blues), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors/Glasgow Hawks), Lewis Carmichael (Melrose), Neil Irvine-Hess (Melrose), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh) (capt), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh).
Replacements: Ross Graham (Hawick), Dan Elkington (Watsonians), Jack Owlett (Exeter University), Andrew Davidson (Glasgow Warriors/Glasgow Hawks), Ruaridh Knott (Melrose), Ben Vellacott (Gloucester/Hartpury College), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints), Richard Galloway (University of Birmingham).
Referee: Will Houston (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Stefano Pennè, Filippo Bertelli (both Italy)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Ireland U-20s to win: 1/12; Draw: 35/1; Scotland U-20s to win: 11/2
Pre-Match Quotes – Nigel Carolan (Ireland U-20s): “We had a shaky start to the tournament but it’s good to have the win under our belt. We narrowly lost (17-10) 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.”
Sean Lineen (Scotland U-20s): “We always knew it was going to be tough with five games in 18 days. It’s a quick turnaround and a busy tournament, and with such comes a lot of change in the squad. Our first game against New Zealand was very tough, physically and mentally, yet Ireland are in the same boat after their close encounter with a big Argentina side.
“Some boys included in this matchday squad have been out here for nearly two weeks and haven’t played yet, so they’re champing at the bit to get out there.
“Teams will have continued to work hard to improve over the period in between the Six Nations and World Championship, so we are aware that we won’t face the same Ireland team as we did at Netherdale back in March. There is no doubt that we’re in for another very tough and tight encounter, but, as always, we’ll go out there and embrace the challenge.”
Pre-Match Links –
Quinlan Kicks Ireland U-20s To Last-Gasp Victory
In Pics: Ireland Under-20s 18 Argentina Under-20s 16
Ulster’s Thompson Making His Mark
Scotland Fall To Defeat In U-20 Championship Opener
Recent Meetings –
2013: U-20 RBS 6 Nations: Scotland U-20s 21 Ireland U-20s 20, Netherdale
2014: U-20 RBS 6 Nations: Ireland U-20s 34 Scotland U-20s 7, Dubarry Park
2015: U-20 RBS 6 Nations: Scotland U-20s 17 Ireland U-20s 10, Netherdale
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