Ireland Under-21 coach mark McDermott has named an unchanged side from the team that beat Italy 34-9 last Friday, ahead of this week’s second match against Paris in Strasbourg.

France are fresh off a 37-0 demolition of Scotland but the Irish youngsters impressed in their opener, eventually running in five tries in a physical encounter with the Azzurri.

Hooker Stuart Philpott of Belfast Harlequins will again captain the side.

Despite the convincing victory McDermott believes there is still room for improvement and areas that need to addressed ahead of the trip to France.

"Last week we took the majority of our scoring chances, so we were happy in that respect. This week presents a whole new challenge and the key areas where we wanted to improve, such as our ball presentation at the breakdown and areas of our defence, will be vital for Friday's game."

"France are always strong at this level, so the squad are well aware that we will need to up the levels of performance from last week. Playing away also brings its own challenges, but we are in good shape for the game," McDermott said today.

Kick-off at the Centre sportif de Hautepierre in Strasbourg is scheduled for 1.30p.m.

Full Team

15. Fionn Carr (Blackrock College)
14. Peter Durcan (Galwegians)
13. Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins)
12. Conan Doyle (Garryowen)
11. Matthew Williams (Bristol Shoguns/Hartpury College)
10. Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College)
9. Paul Marshall (Ballynahinch)
1. Darragh Hurley (UCC)
2. Stuart Philpott (Belfast Harlequins) Captain
3. Paul Doran-Jones (Dublin University)
4. Daniel Touhy (Gloucester/Hartpury College)
5. Devin Toner (Lansdowne)
6. Ross Noonan (UCC)
7. Ejike Uzoigwe (Hartpury College)
8. Billy Holland (UCC)

Replacements:

16. Sean Cronin (Shannon)
17. Callum Black (Worcester Warriors/Hartpury College)
18. David McGowan (Buccaneers)
19. Sean O'Brien (UCD)
20. Duncan Williams (UCC)
21. Tom Gleeson (Cork Con)
22. Fergus McFadden (UCD)