Having gone so close to upsetting World Rugby Under-20 Championship hosts France, the Ireland U-20s (sponsored by PwC) are doubly determined to get the better of South Africa in Narbonne today and close the gap on the Pool C front runners.
2018 WORLD RUGBY UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIP – POOL C: Sunday, June 3
SOUTH AFRICA UNDER-20s (1st) v IRELAND UNDER-20s (3rd), Stade d’Honneur du Parc des Sports et de l’Amitie, Narbonne, 4.30pm local time/3.30pm Irish time (live eir Sport 2/SuperSport 5/World Rugby live streaming in certain countries)
Team News: Ireland Under-20 head coach Noel McNamara has made five changes to the team that started the 26-24 defeat to tournament hosts France on Wednesday night, with World Rugby U-20 Championship debutant James Hume joining four of the replacements used in midweek – Conor Dean, Jonny Stewart, Sean O’Brien and Cormac Daly – in the starting XV.
The front row remains unchanged with Naas prop Jordan Duggan, who was a late inclusion for the injured James French on Wednesday, packing down alongside hooker Diarmuid Barron and tighthead Jack Aungier.
Clontarf clubman Daly comes in for his first World Championship start alongside Jack Dunne in the second row, with the back row again consisting of Joe Dunleavy, who was Ireland’s opening try scorer against the French, Matthew Agnew and number 8 and captain Caelan Doris.
Dean and Stewart, who wins his 16th Ireland U-20 cap, swap in at half-back with Harry Byrne and Hugh O’Sullivan making way, while Stewart’s Ulster Academy colleague Hume pairs up with Tommy O’Brien in the centre.
Sean O’Brien, who was a 27th-minute injury replacement against France, keeps his place in a back-three that also includes Michael Silvester and Tom Roche, and UCC prop Bryan O’Connor, a late addition to the matchday squad the last day, is standing by to make his debut off the bench.
The Ireland Under-20s’ injury list grew following the France game with prop French and winger Dan Hurley both sustaining tournament-ending knee injuries. They have been replaced in the squad by uncapped front rower Jakub Wojtkowicz, who helped Sligo win Ulster Bank League Division 2C this season, and Lansdowne’s Peter Sullivan who won two caps during Ireland’s U-20 Six Nations campaign.
This afternoon’s match will be broadcast live on eir Sport 2 in the Republic of Ireland and online in non-geo blocked locations via World Rugby’s Facebook page and www.worldrugby.org. For more information on the tournament, click here.
Meanwhile, South Africa U-20 boss Chean Roux has made four personnel changes for the encounter with Ireland in Narbonne. Two of the switches are injury-enforced with winger Sihle Nejzula and centre Rikus Pretorius suffering ankle injuries in the 33-27 bonus point victory over Georgia.
Springbok Sevens player Muller du Plessis will start on the left wing, while Lyle Hendricks joins Wandisile Simelane in midfield. The other changes are at tighthead prop where Asenathi Ntlabakanye comes in for Sazi Sandi, and Ben-Jason Dixon takes over from PJ Steenkamp at openside.
The Golden Lions and Western Province have six players each in the Junior ‘Boks’ starting line-up, including WP second row and captain Salmaan Moerat who has made two Super Rugby appearances for the Stormers. Sandi and Steenkamp are listed among the replacements, with the only new face on the bench being centre Manuel Rass.
Tickets for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship, which showcases the future stars of world rugby, are on sale via www.ffr.fr, www.ticketmaster.fr and www.francebillet.com with prices reflecting the FFR’s ambition to attract new fans to the sport. Tickets for the pool stages and the first positional play-off round range from €;5 to €;25, while tickets for the finals day range from €;15 to €;35.
World Rugby U-20 Championship Results/Fixtures
World Rugby U-20 Championship Broadcast Information
SOUTH AFRICA U-20: Gianni Lombard (Xerox Golden Lions); Tyrone Green (Xerox Golden Lions), Wandisile Simelane (Xerox Golden Lions), Lyle Hendricks (DHL Western Province), Muller du Plessis (Cell C Sharks); Damian Willemse (DHL Western Province), Zak Burger (Cell C Sharks); Nathan McBeth (Xerox Golden Lions, Daniel Jooste (DHL Western Province), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Xerox Golden Lions), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Western Province) (capt), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Blue Bulls), Dian Schoonees (Xerox Golden Lions), Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Western Province), Muller Uys (DHL Western Province).
Replacements: Schalk Erasmus (DHL Western Province), Alulutho Tshakweni (Eastern Province), Sazi Sandi (DHL Western Province), Ruan Vermaak (Xerox Golden Lions), PJ Steenkamp (Xerox Golden Lions), Rewan Kruger (Toyota Free State), Lulbabalo Dobela (Toyota Free State), Manuel Rass (Xerox Golden Lions).
IRELAND U-20: Michael Silvester (Dublin University/Leinster); Tom Roche (Lansdowne/Leinster), Tommy O’Brien (UCD/Leinster), James Hume (Banbridge/Ulster), Sean O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster); Conor Dean (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Jonny Stewart (Queen’s University/Ulster); Jordan Duggan (Naas/Leinster), Diarmuid Barron (Garryowen/Munster), Jack Aungier (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Cormac Daly (Clontarf/Leinster), Jack Dunne (Dublin University/Leinster), Joe Dunleavy (Malone/Ulster), Matthew Agnew (Ballymena/Ulster), Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) (capt).
Replacements: Dan Sheehan (Dublin University/Leinster), Bryan O’Connor (UCC/Munster), Joe Byrne (Dublin University/Leinster), Charlie Ryan (UCD/Leinster), Aaron Hall (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Hugh O’Sullivan (Clontarf/Leinster), Harry Byrne (UCD/Leinster), James McCarthy (UL Bohemians/Munster).
Referee: Damon Murphy (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (England), Vincent Blasco Baque (France)
Television Match Official: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): South Africa U-20s to win: 1/4; Draw: 25/1; Ireland U-20s to win: 11/4
Pre-Match Quotes – Noel McNamara (Ireland U-20s): “I think everyone was disappointed that we didn’t come away with the win (against France) on Wednesday night, but we’ve taken the positives from the game and looked forward to Sunday’s second match.
“South Africa are a big and physical team so we’re expecting a big battle, but one the players are really looking forward to. (The injuries) may present an opportunity for somebody else. It is an opportunity for these young men to show what they can do, and we feel that a lot of them did that against France.
“(The losing bonus point against the French) was scant consolation, but we might look back on it as a valuable bonus point. There are teams in the past that have lost their first game and still gone on to have very big tournaments.”
Chean Roux (South Africa U-20s): “We lost two players to injury (in the 33-27 win over Georgia), and hopefully they will be back in contention for selection as the competition progresses, but we have suitable substitutes for them and their selection is just reward for the hard work they have put in.
“Ireland are a territory-driven team, and they like to dominate with their forwards in the lineouts and scrums, so our defence has to be solid and we need to oppose their counter-attacks. We need to come to the party in this game and hopefully we can do that.”
Pre-Match Links –
World Rugby U-20 Championship: Pool C Preview
Stage Set For Day Two At World Rugby U-20 Championship
Ireland Teams To Wear Black Armbands In Tribute To Jack And Shay
Recent Meetings –
2011: World Rugby Under-20 Championship – Pool C: Ireland U-20s 26 South Africa U-20s 42, Stadio di Monigo, Treviso; 5th-8th Place Play-Off: South Africa U-20s 57 Ireland U-20s 15, Stadio Plebiscito, Padova
2012: World Rugby Under-20 Championship – Pool B: South Africa U-20s 19 Ireland U-20s 23, Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch
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