JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Ireland v EnglandA MERE four days after one of the greatest ever victories by an Irish rugby team, under-20s coach Mike Ruddock has selected the same starting XV that outplayed hosts South Africa for the equally daunting challenge of facing Grand Slam champions England.
Ruddock has made only two alterations to the 23-man squad with reserve backrow Shane Buckley replacing Aaron Conneely and Stuart Olding named ahead of outside back Mikey Sherlock.
That means similar heroics are expected from the likes of Munster outhalf JJ Hanrahan and the entire pack. Interestingly, five of the starting eight forwards are retained from the side that lost 20-9 to England in March.
There is also a new halfback and centre pairing, while the wingers and fullback have also changed. Still, powerful runners like Chris Farrell and Sam Coghlan Murray will do damage if afforded the space.
The presence of Leinster youths product Tadhg Furlong at tighthead prop (all 118 kilograms of him) and Jordan Coughlan’s promotion to the blindside flank, from where he brilliantly took his try against South Africa, frees up fellow Clongowes Wood graduate Conor Gilsenan to be a nuisance at openside.
Ulster lock Iain Henderson is another hugely influential figure as proved by his recent showing against Munster in the Pro 12.
Connacht scrumhalf Kieran Marmion justified his selection ahead of another highly rated Leinster man, Luke McGrath, while Hanrahan’s flawless 13-point return, including a drop goal the last day, has shelved any concerns about Ulster pulling captain Paddy Jackson from the tournament at the 11th hour.
But England looked awesome steamrolling Italy 64-5 last Monday. Worryingly, that appeared to be their second string with nine changes made for this evening. Five of their pack that grinded out the Grand Slam clincher at Adams Park three months ago also return, including the beefy front row of Alec Hepburn, Koree Britton and Kyle Sinckler although it is London Irish winger Marland Yarde who must be monitored at all costs.
With the Italians to follow next Tuesday, Ruddock is certain to unload his reserves as Ireland attempt to shock another tournament heavyweight. The surprise element at set piece, which worked so beautifully to upset the Baby Boks, is certainly gone but a bonus point defeat would leave them nicely poised to make the semi-finals as the best Pool runner-up.
IRELAND: P Nelson (Dungannon/Ulster); B Daly (UCD/Leinster), F Horan (Lansdowne/ Leinster), C Farrell (Dungannon/Ulster), S Coghlan Murray (UCD/Leinster); JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster), K Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht); D Merrey (Clontarf/Leinster), N Scannell (Dolphin/ Munster, capt), T Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster); T Beirne (Lansdowne/Leinster), I Henderson (Queen's University/Ulster), J Coghlan (UCD/Leinster), C Gilsenan (UCD/Mullingar/Leinster), J Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster). Replacements: J Rael (Garryowen/ Munster), P Reilly (Lansdowne/ Leinster), J Cawley (Old Belvedere/ Leinster), A OConnor (UCD/Leinster), S Buckley (Garryowen/Munster), L McGrath (UCD/Leinster), J Carty (Buccaneers/ Connacht), S Olding (Belfast Harlequins/ Ulster).
ENGLAND: T Bell; M Yarde, W Addison, R Mills (capt), C Walker; T Heathcote, B Spencer; A Hepburn, K Britton, K Sinckler, D Barrow, G Merrick, D Sisi, B Nutley, J Clifford. Replacements: M Crumpton, L Cowan-Dickie, R Harrison, S Twomey, C Walker, D Robson, S Hill, B Ransom.
Referee: L van der Merwe(South Africa).
