Ireland will struggle to halt England's march

UNDER-20s Ireland v England:THE ENGLISH appear better equipped to continue their seemingly relentless march towards retaining the Grand Slam in Athlone this evening. And yet, evidence from Ireland's courageous 9-6 defeat of France, and the manner in which they dealt with the Italian experience, gives Allen Clarke's team more than a fighting chance.

Cork Constitution’s Peter O’Mahony is an inspirational leader and hooker Tom Sexton, tighthead prop Jack McGrath and versatile outhalf Ian Madigan have been consistently excellent. That Welshman and former Leinster coach Mike Ruddock married an Irish woman has proved hugely beneficial. Secondrow Ciarán Ruddock has been in the Irish system for over a year but younger brother Rhys, a flanker with enormous potential and still a schoolboy, only joined the squad recently.

“The team spirit within the camp is second to none,” says Clarke. “Certainly in terms of our ball retention and our defence we were quite happy in Italy. But there are aspects of our game in terms of work-rate and re-alignment that we have been concentrating on this week.”

There is a change at scrumhalf, with Lansdowne’s Matthew Healy usurping Conor Murray, while Ronan O’Mahony comes onto the right wing and Shane Gahan returns from injury to the replacements. In the forwards, Queen’s University lock James Sandford is preferred over Mark Flanagan.

England coach Mark Mapletoft has made six changes from the 28-16 defeat of Wales with Newcastle outhalf Rory Clegg released from club commitments.

IRELAND:D Kearney (Leinster); R O'Mahony (Munster), I McKinley (Leinster), E Sheridan (Leinster), M Keating (Leinster); I Madigan (Leinster), M Healy (Leinster); P McAllister (Ulster), T Sexton (Leinster), J McGrath (Leinster); C Ruddock (Exiles), J Sandford (Ulster); R Ruddock (Exiles), D Ryan (Leinster), P O'Mahony (Munster). Replacements: D McGregor (Ulster), J O'Connell (Leinster), M Flanagan (Leinster), M Noone (Leinster), C Murray (Munster), S Gahan (Leinster), G Foley (Leinster). ENGLAND: G Tonks (Leicester Tigers); S Stegmann (Harlequins), G Lowe (Harlequins), T Casson (Saracens), W Hurrell (Leicester Tigers); R Clegg (Newcastle Falcons), D White (Leeds Carnegie); B Moon (Exeter Chiefs), J George (Saracens), S Knight (Gloucester Rugby); J Gaskell (Sale Sharks), P Elder (London Wasps); J Ovens (Bath Rugby), C Clark (Leeds Carnegie, capt), C York (Harlequins). Replacements: A Ellis (London Wasps), B Baker (London Wasps), C Fearns (Sale Sharks), T Sargeant (Harlequins), S Harrison (Leicester Tigers), F Burns (Gloucester Rugby), J Short (Saracens).

St Mary’s number eight Hugh Hogan leads an eclectic mix of club players from all over the country against an English Counties XV tonight in Donnybrook (kick-off 5pm). IRELAND: E Torrie; C Healy, D Fitzpatrick, P Brophy, D Corcoran; B Keeshan, R Cushion; M Gately, B McNamee, K Moran; A Maher, M Warburton; K Croke, B O’Mahony, H Hogan (capt). Replacements: R Quinn, C Murphy, A Dunlop, R Boucher, S Cronin, N O’Brien, T Bennett.

ENGLAND:R Cook, M Billings, A Billig, M Bedworth, S Smith, G Beasley, J Doherty, D Jaques, L Wordley, R Harden, L Collins, T Bason, J Lord, J Kellard, R Baldwin. Replacements: B Gerry, S Legg, J Rule, Jason Smithson, P Knight, C Johnson, J Harrison.