For the first time in six years, Australia and Ireland go head-to-head at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship and this match-up promises to be worth the wait with both sides bagging try-scoring bonus points on the opening day.
2019 WORLD RUGBY UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIP – POOL B: Saturday, June 8
AUSTRALIA UNDER-20s (1st) v IRELAND UNDER-20s (2nd), Club de Rugby Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe, 10.30am local time/2.30pm local time (live eir Sport 2/World Rugby website stream (in certain regions))
Team News: The Ireland Under-20 team, sponsored by PwC, to play Australia in the second round of the World Rugby U-20 Championship in Santa Fe today (kick-off 10.30am local time/2.30pm Irish time – live on eir Sport 2) has been announced.
There are two enforced changes to the side that started the 42-26 bonus point win over England, with Iwan Hughes, who made his Ireland U-20 debut at full-back, ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a finger injury. Sean French will also miss the remaining games after sustaining a facial injury.
With Azur Allison going through the return-to-play protocols, St. Mary’s College clubman Ronan Watters comes in at openside flanker for his first Ireland U-20 start. John Hodnett, the scorer of Ireland’s sixth and final try against England, moves to number 8 with fellow try scorer David McCann continuing on the blindside.
The rest of the pack, led by captain Charlie Ryan, is unchanged as is the Shannon and Munster half-back pairing of Jake Flannery and Craig Casey. Ulster Academy centre Stewart Moore features again in midfield alongside Liam Turner, while Dublin University’s Rob Russell gets his first start at full-back, joining Angus Kernohan and Jonathan Wren in the back-three.
Head coach Noel McNamara has called up Leinster pair Aaron O’Sullivan and Max O’Reilly in place of French and Hughes but they will not be in the matchday squad this weekend. Australia are just ahead of Ireland on scoring difference at the top of Pool B, having won their opening fixture 36-12 against Italy.
The Australia v Ireland clash will be shown live on eir Sport 2 today, while there will be live streaming via the World Rugby website in certain regions, and ITV hold the UK television rights. Tickets for the tournament are available via www.ticketek.com.ar.
Meanwhile, with a clean bill of health, Australia head coach Jason Gilmore has named an unchanged team for their second outing of the tournament. They emerged as 36-12 bonus point winners over Italy on Tuesday, with hooker Lachlan Lonergan (2), number Will Harris and backs Noah Lolesio and Triston Reilly scoring their tries.
The newly-crowned Oceania U-20 champions have Queensland Reds starlet Isaac Lucas at full-back, and Louth native and former Dundalk RFC player Michael McDonald, who moved to Australia with his family at the age of 13, is set for a key individual battle at scrum half with Ireland’s vice-captain Casey.
Australian captain Fraser McReight impressed against the Italians with his breakdown skills forcing turnovers and penalties. The centre pairing of Semisi Tupou, the squad’s most experienced player with 13 caps, and Noah Lolesio will take some shutting down, while powerful lock Trevor Hosea is another of their Super Rugby prospects with a bright future.
World Rugby U-20 Championship Results/Fixtures
World Rugby U-20 Championship Pools
AUSTRALIA U-20: Isaac Lucas (Sunnybank); Triston Reilly (Randwick/Australia Sevens), Semisi Tupou (Box Hill), Noah Lolesio (Tuggeranong Vikings), Mark Nawaqanitawase (Eastwood); Will Harrison (Randwick), Michael McDonald (Palmyra): Angus Bell (Sydney University), Lachlan Lonergan (Tuggeranong Vikings), Josh Nasser (University of Queensland), Michael Wood (Brothers), Trevor Hosea (Harlequins Rugby Club), Harry Wilson (Brothers), Fraser McReight (Brothers) (capt), Will Harris (Eastern Suburbs).
Replacements: Joe Cotton (Wests Bulldogs), Bo Abra (Eastern Suburbs), Darcy Breen (Sydney University), Rhys van Nek (Easts), Esei Ha’angana (Melbourne Unicorns), Nick Frost (Queanbeyan Whites), Carlo Tizzano (University of Western Australia), Pat Tafa (Northern Suburbs), Henry Robertson (Sydney University), Ben Donaldson (Randwick), Kye Oates (University of Queensland), Joey Walton (Gordon), Sione Tui (Melbourne Unicorns).
IRELAND U-20: Rob Russell (Dublin University/Leinster); Angus Kernohan (Queen’s University/Ulster), Liam Turner (Dublin University/Leinster), Stewart Moore (Malone/Ulster), Jonathan Wren (Cork Constitution/Munster); Jake Flannery (Shannon/Munster), Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster); Josh Wycherley (Young Munster/Munster), Dylan Tierney-Martin (Corinthians/Connacht), Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster), Charlie Ryan (UCD/Leinster) (capt), Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster), David McCann (Banbridge/Ulster), Ronan Watters (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), John Hodnett (UCC/Munster).
Replacements: John McKee (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Michael Milne (UCD/Leinster), Charlie Ward (Clontarf/Leinster), Declan Adamson (Clontarf/Leinster), Niall Murray (Buccaneers/Connacht), Ciaran Booth (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby), Thomas Ahern (Shannon/Munster), Colm Reilly (Buccaneers/Connacht), Ben Healy (Garryowen/Munster), Cormac Foley (St. Mary’s College/Leinster).
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant Referees: Craig Evans (Wales), Nicolas Cotic (Argentina)
Television Match Official: Santiago Borsani (Argentina)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Australia U-20s to win: 11/10; Draw: 17/1; Ireland U-20s to win: 4/5
Pre-Match Quotes – Noel McNamara (Ireland U-20s):
I think when you look at the (England) game and factor in the quality of the opposition, you obviously have to be pleased with coming out on the right side of the result. I thought the quality of effort that the boys showed and their endeavour throughout the game was absolutely fantastic.
“Obviously there are a number of areas where we feel we can be better, and that’s not a bad place to be when you consider we scored 42 points and had a 16-point win. From that perspective (there’s) huge positives.
“One of the things that strikes you is how good Australia’s defence is, how physical they are as a side. Very, very strong pack in particular. If you look at their last three games, I think they’ve only conceded two tries over the course of those games against Fiji, New Zealand and Italy – and the two tries they conceded against Italy came in the last ten minutes.
“I think that gives an indication of the challenge they are going to pose, particularly in terms of their defence. Their captain Fraser McReight is exceptionally strong over the ball, so there are going to be a few areas where we’re really going to have to be at the top of our game if we want to come out on the right side of the result.”
Jason Gilmore (Australia U-20s):
Following our match against Italy, we’ve gone through our reviews and we’ll look to build for our match against Ireland. Ireland had a strong opening match against England. We’re looking forward to the game and our boys will be up for another opportunity. We had a solid hit-out against Italy and the group we want to continue building momentum.”
Pre-Match Links –
Superb Six-Try Salvo Sees Ireland Under-20s Over The Line In Santa Fe
Twists And Turns Aplenty On Day One Of World U-20 Championship
In Pics: Ireland Under-20s Enjoy Winning Start Against England In Santa Fe
McNamara Pinpoints Areas For Improvement Against Australia
Recent Meetings –
2013: IRB Junior World Championship – Pool B: Ireland Under-20s 19 Australia Under-20s 15, Stade de la Rabine, Vannes; 7th-8th Place Play-Off: Australia Under-20s 28 Ireland Under-20s 17, Stade Henri Desgranges, La Roche-sur-Yon
Support the Ireland U-20s on www.facebook.com/irishrugby or search #FutureIsGreen, #AUSvIRE and #WorldRugbyU20s on www.twitter.com/irishrugby.