Under-21 squad: The Irish under-21s have been drawn to play hosts France, Argentina and Georgia in the pool stages of next June's World Cup.

Despite slipping to ninth seeds, after a poor showing at last year's tournament in Argentina, coach Mark McDermott was pleased to have avoided the three big Southern Hemisphere nations.

"It's a good draw as at least we will be playing a team we are already familiar with," said McDermott. "If we can have a good Six Nations and get off to a good start, we can possibly give the full squad a run in the last match against Georgia."

The competition takes place in Clermont-Ferrand and Vichy in the Auvergne region of France, with the opening game against France on June 9th in Issoire followed by Argentina in Cournon four days later.

After another four-day break, Ireland play their final pool game back in Issoire before the play-off to establish their world ranking.

The tournament sees 12 nations play across four pools at six venues: Riom, Issoire, Thiers, Cournon d'Auvergne, Vichy and, for the semi-finals and final, Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin, which is the 14,000-capacity home of European Cup side ASM Clermont Auvergne.

The top seeds are last year's winners South Africa, followed by Australia and New Zealand.

The Irish under-21 side play Leinster A at Donnybrook this evening (kick-off 5pm) without regular outhalf options, as St Mary's Jonathan Sexton is injured and Kieran Hallett has returned to his English club Bedford. Garryowen centre Conan Doyle deputises in their absence, with former Clongowes schoolboy Fergus McFadden promoted to the midfield.

Added to the team that were beaten 34-14 by the same opposition on December 30th is Galwegians winger Peter Durkan while captain Stuart Philpott from Belfast Harlequins is named at hooker. UCC have four representatives: prop Darragh Hurley, backrowers Ross Noonan and Billy Holland, and replacement Duncan Williams.

The under-21s open their Six Nations campaign against Italy on Friday, February 3rd at Dubarry Park. The Athlone venue will be their base for further home games against Wales and Scotland.

IRELAND UNDER-21s: F Carr (Blackrock College); P Durcan (Galwegians), D Cave (Belfast Harlequins), F McFadden (UCD), I Hanly (UL Bohemians); C Doyle (Garryowen), P Marshall (Ballynahinch); D Hurley (UCC), S Philpott (Belfast Harlequins, capt), P Doran-Jones (Dublin University); D Touhy (Gloucester/Hartpury College), D Toner (Lansdowne); R Noonan (UCC), E Uzoigwe (Hartpury College), B Holland (UCC). Replacements: C Black (Worcester Warriors/Hartpury College), S Cronin (Shannon), D Ryan (Highfield), D McGowan (Buccaneers), S O'Brien (UCD), D Williams (UCC), D Black (Dungannon).

LEINSTER A - Backs (from): R McCarron, B Burke, J Norton, G Brown, E Hickey, D McAllister, J Hepworth, B O'Meara, G Stafford, S Grissing. Forwards: J Lyne, C Geoghegan, N Duffy; B Gissing, S Crawford (capt); A Dunlop, C Potts, K McLaughlin. Forward replacements (from): R Sweeney, K Doyle, C O'Byrne, A O'Sullivan, H Hogan.