Changes in Ireland Under-20's

The Ireland Under-20 team to play England in the IRB Junior World Championship 5th place play-off semi-final has been named, with several changes on the teamsheet.

The teams have met previously in the pool stages with England emerging victors thanks to a second half comeback.

The Irish management have made a number of changes to the side that overcame Italy 41-12 in their final pool game of the tournament.

Peter Nelson takes up the full-back position, while Barry Daily joins Foster Horan on the wing.

Stuart Olding makes his first start of the tournament, joining Chris Farrell in the centre, while JJ Hanrahan and Kieran Marmion return to the starting XV at out-half and scrum-half.

Captain Niall Scannell and Tadhg Furlong return to the starting team, joining Des Merry in the front row.

Tadgh Beirne has been named alongside Alan O’Connor in the second row, while Iain Henderson, Jack Conan and Jordan Coghlan will start in the back row.

There is still one place to be filled in the replacements.

The games will be shown live on TG4.

Ireland U-20 team to face England U-20, IRB Junior World Championship 5th place play-off semi-final, University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town, Sunday 17 June, kick-off 5pm.

15 Peter Nelson (Dungannon/Ulster)

14 Barry Daly (UCD/Leinster)

13 Stuart Olding (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

12 Chris Farrell (Dungannon/Ulster)

11 Foster Horan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

10 JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster)

9 Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)

1 Des Merrey (Clontarf/Leinster)

2 Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster) Captain

3 Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)

4 Alan O'Connor (UCD/Leinster)

5 Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Leinster)

6 Iain Henderson (Queen's University/Ulster)

8 Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

7 Jordan Coghlan (UCD/Leinster)

Replacements:

16 James Rael (Garryowen/Munster)

17 Peter Reilly (Lansdowne/Leinster)

18 Jake Cawley (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

19 AN Other

20 Aaron Conneely (Corinthians/Connacht)

21 Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster)

22 Jack Carty (Buccaneers/Connacht)

23 Mike Sherlock (Clontarf/Leinster)

Ireland Under-20 v Wales

The Ireland Under-20 team, sponsored by PwC, has been announced by head coach Mike Ruddock for this Friday's opening game in the RBS Under-20 6 Nations Championship against Wales in Athlone.

Mike Ruddock has named an experienced side with seven players from last year's Ireland Under-20 squad included in the starting line-up to play Wales.

Buccaneers' own Daniel Qualter will link up with Iain Henderson in the second row, while fellow Connacht native Aaron Conneely is named in the back row.

Centre JJ Hanarahan makes a return to the side from last year along withSam Coghlan Murray who has been named on the left wing.

Kieran Marmion will take up the scrum half position and will partner Paddy Jackson who has been named at out-half. The Ulster-capped Jackson will also captain this year's side.

Speaking ahead of the opening game, Ruddock said: "We are all looking forward to the start of the Six Nations. It is always a tough test against Wales but preparations have been first class.

"We are confident we have prepared as best as we can and are now looking forward to transferring that training onto the pitch itself."

Friday's clash will be broadcast live on RTÉ Two, with commentary provided by Ryle Nugent and Donal Lenihan. It will also be shown on RTE.ie (Island of Ireland only).

IRELAND UNDER-20 Team & Replacements (v Wales Under-20s, RBS Under-20 6 Nations Championship, Dubarry Park, Buccaneers RFC, Friday, February 3, kick-off 7.05pm):

15 - Shane Layden (Buccaneers/Connacht)

14 - Barry Daly (UCD/Leinster)

13 - Foster Horan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

12 - JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster)

11 - Sam Coghlan Murray (UCD/Leinster)

10 - Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster) (capt)

9 - Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)

1 - Kyle McCall (Ballynahinch/Ulster)

2 - Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)

3 - Peter Reilly (Lansdowne/Leinster)

4 - Iain Henderson (Queen's University/Ulster)

5 - Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers/Connacht)

6 - Conor Gilsenan (UCD/Leinster)

7 - Aaron Conneely (Corinthians/Connacht)

8 - Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Replacements:

16 - Des Merrey (Clontarf/Leinster)

17 - James Rael (Garryowen/Munster)

18 - Jake Cawley (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

19 - Tadgh Beirne (Lansdowne/Leinster)

20 - Jordan Coghlan (UCD/Leinster)

21 - Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster)

22 - Cathal Marsh (Dublin University/Leinster)

23 - Christopher Farrell (Dungannon/Ulster)