Rugby: The hunt for a first Grand Slam since 2007 for the Ireland under-20s side continues against Scotland at Dubarry Park this weekend and coach Mike Ruddock has made a number of changes ahead the Friday fixture (7.05pm).
After making use of his squad in the 27-8 win over Italy at the same venue on February 24th, Ruddock has recalled a number of players involved in the win over France a fortnight beforehand.
"We have reinstated a few of the lads that were involved in the win against France, we felt that they deserved to come back into the equation for this test,” said Ruddock today. “We certainly don't underestimate the Scottish side, I have looked at their tapes and realise that our defence are going to have to work very hard to stop them crossing the line.”
“We have prepared to the best of our ability and are ready to front up to a very talented Scotland team.”
Ruddock has opted for Luke McGrath at scrumhalf, while in the pack, James Rael joins Peter Reilly and Kyle McCall in the frontrow, while Iain Henderson moves from five to four in the secondrow to accommodate Danny Qualter.
Backrow Conor Gilsenan shifts to the blindside to make way for Aaron Conneely and Jack Conan is named at number eight.
Tadhg Bernie, Jordan Coghlan and Kieron Marmion are among the replacements, along with Connacht’s Callum O’Connell who makes the matchday squad for the first time.
Ireland U-20 (v Scotland U-20):Shane Layden (Buccaneers - Connacht); Conor Finn (Buccaneers - Connacht), Chris Farrell (Dungannon - Ulster), JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians - Munster), Foster Horan (Lansdowne - Leinster); Paddy Jackson (Dungannon - Ulster)(Capt), Luke McGrath (UCD - Leinster); Kyle McCall (QUB - Ulster), James Rael (Garryowen - Munster), Peter Reilly (Lansdowne - Leinster); Iain Henderson (Queens - Ulster), Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers - Connacht); Conor Gilsenan (UCD - Leinster), Aaron Conneely (Corinthians - Connacht), Jack Conan (Old Belvedere - Leinster)
Replacements:Callum O'Connell (Galwegians - Connacht), Des Merrey (Clontarf - Leinster), Jake Cawley (Old Belvedere - Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne - Leinster), Jordan Coghlan (UCD - Leinster), Kieron Marmion (Corinthians - Connacht), Cathal Marsh (Dublin University - Leinster), Stuart Olding (Belfast Harlequins - Ulster).
