Fresh from their memorable comeback win in Newcastle, the Ireland Under-20s will aim for back-to-back victories tonight when they host bottom side Italy under the Donnybrook floodlights.
2016 UNDER-20 RBS 6 NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP: Friday, March 11
IRELAND UNDER-20s (5th) v ITALY UNDER-20s (6th), Donnybrook, 7.35pm (live RTÉ Two/www.rte.ie/live (island of Ireland only))
Team News: Ireland Under-20 head coach Nigel Carolan has named the same starting pack from the 26-20 win over England in Newcastle last time out, but there are some changes to the back-line due to a couple of injuries.
Brett Connon will make his first start of the Under-20 RBS 6 Nations as he steps up from the bench to take up the full-back position which has been vacated by the injured Jack Power (hamstring).
In a late switch, a knee injury has forced Sligo’s Stephen Kerins out of the team, so John Poland from Cork Constitution comes back into the side at scrum half with Exiles product Niall Saunders added to the replacements.
Conor O’Brien moves from the left wing to replace the injured Jimmy O’Brien (stress fracture) at inside centre. Jacob Stockdale, who has been involved with Ulster in the GUINNESS PRO12 in recent weeks, will win his seventh Ireland U-20 cap as he makes his first appearance in this campaign.
In the replacements, Hugo Kean (St. Mary’s College), Ben Betts (Young Munster) and Paul Kiernan (UCC) will be hoping to win their first Ireland U-20 caps along with late call-up Saunders. They are joined on the bench by James Bollard, Sean O’Connor, Max Deegan, who has returned from injury, and Terry Kennedy.
The side will again be led by Lansdowne and Leinster ‘A’ lock James Ryan, who has scored three tries in as many U-20 Six Nations game.
Meanwhile, Italy U-20 boss Alessandro Troncon has made just one enforced change to the team that lost 24-14 at home to Scotland last time out.
Flankwe Giovanni Pettinelli from the National Academy comes in for regular captain Davide Fragnito, who misses out through injury. Calvisano prop Marco Riccioni will take over the captaincy.
The Italian youngsters have lost all three matches so far, going down to France (40-3), England (42-7) and Scotland, scoring four tries and conceding 16. However, they do boast a strong set piece and wingers Pierre Bruno and Luca Sperandio will cause a threat out wide.
Match Ticket Info: Click here to buy tickets for Ireland Under-20s v Italy Under-20s. Tickets are priced at €;20 for unreserved seating, €;15 for terrace standing, €;10 for children and €;7.50 for a family (two adults and two children).
U-20 RBS 6 Nations Fixtures/Results
IRELAND U-20: Brett Connon (Newcastle Falcons); Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster), Shane Daly (Cork Constitution/Munster), Conor O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster); Johnny McPhillips (Queen’s University/Ulster), John Poland (Cork Constitution/Munster); Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster), Adam McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster), Conan O’Donnell (Sligo/Connacht), Peter Claffey (Galwegians/Connacht), James Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster) (capt), Cillian Gallagher (Sligo/Connacht), Will Connors (UCD/Leinster), Greg Jones (UCD/Leinster).
Replacements: Hugo Kean (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), James Bollard (Dublin University/Leinster), Ben Betts (Young Munster/Munster), Sean O’Connor (Cashel/Munster), Max Deegan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Niall Saunders (Epsom College/Harlequins), Paul Kiernan (UCC/Munster), Terry Kennedy (St. Mary’s College/Leinster).
ITALY U-20: Matteo Minozzi (Rugby Calvisano); Pierre Bruno (Marchiol Mogliano), Roberto dal Zilio (Rugby Paese), Marco Zanon (Marchiol Mogliano), Luca Sperandio (Marchiol Mogliano); Leonardo Mantelli (Femi-CZ Rovigo), Vincenzo Charly Ernest Trussardi (Clermont Auvergne); Daniele Rimpelli (Rugby Reggio), Marco Manfredi (Lafert San Donà), Marco Riccioni (Rugby Calvisano) (capt), Leonard Krumov (Rugby Viadana 1970), Samuele Ortis (Rugby Lyons), Giovanni Pettinelli (Accademia Nazionale Ivan Francescato), Davide Ciotoli (L’Aquila Rugby Club), Gabriele Venditti (Fiamme Oro Rugby Roma).
Replacements: Nicolò Broglia (US Firenze Rugby 1931), Giovanni Amendola (IMA Lazio Rugby), Giosuè Zilocchi (Elephant Rugby), Lorenzo Robin Masselli (Accademia Nazionale Ivan Francescato), Michael de Marco (Accademia Nazionale Ivan Francescato), Giovanni Lucchin (Femi-CZ Rovigo), Marcello Angelini (L’Aquila Rugby Club), Lorenzo Masato (Marchiol Mogliano).
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Ireland U-20s to win: 1/50; Draw: 90/1; Italy U-20s to win: 20/1
Pre-Match Quotes – Nigel Carolan (Ireland U-20s): “We knew that this group of players were very capable of playing winning rugby, but errors had cost us in previous games. While it was satisfying to get the victory over England in Newcastle, the important thing now is that we park that win and continue to build and develop as a team.
“There are a couple of enforced changes to the backs and some new faces amongst the substitutes, so it changes things up a bit as we come to the latter stages of the competition.
“Italy travel to Donnybrook having made England and Scotland work very hard to secure their wins, so I’ve no doubt they’ll be looking to push us hard on Friday night. If we replicate our last performance, I am confident that we can come away with a successful outcome.”
Pre-Match Links –
Ireland Under-20s Beaten By Wales In Thrilling Seven-Try Clash
Ireland U-20s Floored By France’s Second Half Surge
Ireland U-20s Stun England With Brilliant 20-Point Blitz
Late Change At Scrum Half For Ireland U-20s
Match Facts –
– The Ireland Under-20s’ 26-20 victory over England at Newcastle in the last round ended a five-match losing run in the tournament
– The Ireland U-20s have played just twice before at Donnybrook and lost on both occasions: to England in 2015 and to Wales in round 1 this season
– The Italy U-20s have lost their last ten Six Nations encounters since beating Scotland in 2014
– The Italy U-20s have not won away from home since beating Chile during the 2013 Junior World Trophy
– Italy have never beaten the Ireland Under-20s but they did draw 25-all at Avezzano during the 2013 Six Nations
Recent Meetings –
2013: U-20 RBS 6 Nations: Italy U-20s 25 Ireland U-20s 25, Stadio del Marsi, Avezzano
2014: U-20 RBS 6 Nations: Ireland U-20s 18 Italy U-20s 0, Dubarry Park
2015: U-20 RBS 6 Nations: Italy U-20s 15 Ireland U-20s 47, Stadio Pozzi Lamarmora, Biella
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