U-20 International/Ireland v France, Dubarry Park, Athlone Kick-off: 7.30pm:Here's what we know. The French arrive at this secluded midlands venue after ransacking the Italians, scoring six tries and, equally important, six conversions from Toulouse outhalf Romain Sola in the process.
The Irish camp have unearthed precious little information on their opponents but a perusal of French club websites reveals a gargantuan pack with a decent spread of European Cup experience from this season.
Eric Elwood, in his first significant coaching role, has been handed a spine of quality players, in particular, captain David Pollack of Queen's University.
It's now up to the 35-times capped former international outhalf and his assistant, Dan McFarland, to prove their worth. The raw materials are in place.
Pollack switches from the openside flank to number eight in the absence of the injured Seán O'Brien, which is hardly a disruptive measure as Tommy O'Donnell was introduced for O'Brien in the early stages of last Friday's 17-15 victory in Swansea.
Leinster Academy loosehead Cian Healy makes his first appearance at this age grade. The former Belvedere schoolboy is seen as a world-class prop in the making but the 18 stone 12 pounds of Agen tighthead Benjamin Sore will provide the most rigorous challenge of a fledgling career.
Providing the Irish pack deliver sufficient possession, halfbacks Paul O'Donohue and Ian Keatley - team-mates of Healy on the Leinster Schools' Cup winning side of 2005 - will create space for assassins likes Keith Earls and Darren Cave.
Keatley, a late bloomer, is gradually developing the reputation of a highly effective running outhalf. Also, Felix Jones at fullback proved an able replacement for Luke Fitzgerald last week when galloping over for two tries.
The visitors look well equipped to inflict severe damage here but five of this team were on the Irish schools side that stood toe to toe with an intimidating French pack in 2005. They clinched the Triple Crown with a 9-3 victory.
IRELAND:F Jones (Seapoint); S Monahan (Dublin University), D Cave (Belfast Harlequins), A Wynne (Buccaneers), K Earls (Thomond); I Keatley (UCD), P O'Donohue (UCD); C Healy (Clontarf), R Sweeney (St Mary's College), J Hagan (Greystones); C McInerney (St Mary's College), A Browne (Galwegians); T Anderson (Dungannon), T O'Donnell (UL Bohemians), D Pollack (QUB, capt). Replacements: G Slattery (Young Munster), R Murphy (Lansdowne), N Keogh (UCC), K Sheahan (UCD), D Drake (Ballymena), N O'Connor (Belfast Harlequins), K Tonetti (Blackrock College).
FRANCE:M Medard; Y Huget, T Combezou, A Mignardi, M Nicolas; R Sola, F Da Silva; D Weber, G Guirado, B Sore; D Lagrange, Sap; J Monribot, L Picamoles, F Ouedrago.
Referee:I Heard (Scotland).
