Changes For The Ireland Under-21s

…Garryowen’s Conan Doyle on the attack against Italy Under-21…

Ireland Under-21 coach Mark McDermott has made three changes and one positional switch to his side for Friday night’s U-21 6 Nations clash with Wales U-21 at Dubarry Park (kick-off 7.35pm).

The positional switch from the defeat to France U-21 in Strasbourg sees Conan Doyle move from inside centre to fly half, with Jonathon Sexton moving to the bench. Fergus McFadden steps in at inside centre.

In the forwards, Michael Essex comes into the back row in place of Ross Noonan, while Sean O’Brien is named at number 8 with Billy Holland taking O’Brien’s position amongst the replacements.

The game will be televised live on RTE Two. Coverage starts at 7.30pm.

IRELAND UNDER-21 v WALES U-21 (Dubarry Park, Athlone, Friday, kick-off 7.35pm):

15. Fionn Carr (Blackrock College)
14. Peter Durcan (Galwegians)
13. Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins)
12. Fergus McFadden (UCD)
11. Matthew Williams (Bristol Shoguns/Hartpury College)
10. Conan Doyle (Garryowen)
9. Paul Marshall (Ballynahinch)

1. Darragh Hurley (UCC)
2. Stuart Philpott (Belfast Harlequins) (Captain)
3. Paul Doran-Jones (Dublin University)
4. Devin Toner (Lansdowne)
5. Daniel Touhy (Gloucester/Hartpury College)
6. Michael Essex (UCC)
7. Ejike Uzoigwe (Hartpury College)
8. Sean O’Brien (UCD)

Replacements:

16. Sean Cronin (Shannon)
17. Callum Black (Worcester Warriors/Hartpury College)
18. David McGowan (Buccaneers)
19. Billy Holland (UCC)
20. Duncan Williams (UCC)
21. Tom Gleeson (Cork Con)
22. Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College)