England present physical challenge

Under-20 Six Nations/Ireland v England, Dubarry Park, 7.30: While the Grand Slam may no longer be a target for the senior team, it is still on the agenda for one group of young Irish players.

Tonight Ireland face England in their third series of games in the Under-20 Six Nations Championship. The Irish team have beaten Wales 17-15 (the Welsh won the Grand Slam at under-19 level last season), and France 19-16, the latter fielding an under-21 team having not signed up to the accord to field an under-20 side. It highlights just how good that Irish performance was.

Under the baton of the new coaching team of head coach Eric Elwood, assistant coach Dan McFarland and manager Phil Orr, this crop of young Irish players have excelled, playing an open and expansive brand of rugby.

Elwood, who is in his second year as assistant coach to Michael Bradley at Connacht, is on a one-year contract with this international squad, his first representative head coach's job. And he's relishing the responsibility.

"It's been hugely enjoyable in every facet, from preparations off the field to the training sessions and the matches themselves.

"You don't have a huge amount of time - there is about a six- or seven-week window of preparation - so the key is to prioritise. We have introduced a simple structure in terms of the gameplan and the players have been absolutely brilliant. They're like sponges. Dan (McFarland) and I have introduced professional values and we have treated them as young professionals."

Elwood has received support from not only his coaching team but has been able to call upon the advice of Bradley. The former Connacht and Ireland outhalf has placed a huge emphasis on short, sharp, intensive training sessions.

This young Irish team have not only demonstrated flair but also character in the manner in which they have earned their wins.

England present another huge, and ostensibly different challenge. They are physically big, particularly up front and the inside three of the backline, and adopt a very direct style.

Elwood pointed out: "I have seen a couple of their matches (England beat Italy and Scotland comprehensively) and they are a huge, well-drilled team. They play hard and direct football so it'll be a different dynamic for our players. But it is a challenge they'll relish."

England coach Nigel Redman has named an unchanged England team, although there are three changes to the bench as the visitors look to repeat last year's feat of winning the Grand Slam.

There are three changes on the bench where Jack Forster is replaced by Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Richard Bolt (Exeter Chiefs) takes over from the injured Tom Parker (London Irish) and Jordan Turner-Hall of NEC Harlequins comes in for Saracens' James Tirrell.

IRELAND: F Jones (Seapoint); S Monahan (Dublin Univ), D Cave (Belfast Harlequins), A Wynne (Buccaneers), K Earls (Thomond); I Keatley (UCD), P O'Donohoe (UCD); C Healy (Clontarf), R Sweeney (St Mary's), J Hagan (Greystones); C McInerney (UCD), A Browne (Galwegians); T Anderson (Dungannon), D Pollock (QUB, capt), S O'Brien (UCD). Replacements: G Slattery (Young Munster), R Murphy (Lansdowne), N Keogh (UCC), T O'Donnell (UL Bohemian), D Drake (Ballymena), N O'Connor (Belfast Harlequins), K Tonetti (Blackrock).

ENGLAND: D Doherty (Wasps); O Dodge (Leicester), T Youngs (Leicester), A Powell (Saracens), S Kuadey (Sale); S Jewell (Harlequins), D Care (capt, Harlequins); C Beech (Northampton), M Mullen (Worcester), T Mercey (Saracens); D Attwood (Bristol), P Hoy (Northampton); A Shaw (Leicester), C Pennycook (Bristol), D Tait (Sale). Replacements: T Standfield (London Irish), D Cole (Leicester), M Cox (Worcester), H Ellis (Wasps), R Bolt (Exeter), F Neale (Saracens), J Turner-Hall (Harlequins).