Under 20s make changes for visit to Wales

The disappointment still lingers over missed opportunities against England in Donnybrook almost two weeks ago. Had Ireland converted their first-half chances, they could be in the same situation as their senior colleagues with a Grand Slam still available.

The 14-19 defeat to England has prompted head coach, Nigel Carolan to make a number of changes for this weekend's visit to Wales.

Ciarán Gaffney who returns from a hamstring injury, joins Sam Arnold and Billy Dardis in the backline, where man of the match last time out, Gary Ringrose, remains at outside centre.

In the pack, a new look secondrow sees Cian Romaine promoted from the bench to pair up with Josh Murphy who moves from the back row.

The St Mary’s pair of Conor Oliver, who makes his first appearance of the tournament and Nick Timoney come in with Lorcan Dow to complete the backrow.

“It was disappointing to lose to England in the last round, but we have put that behind us now in preparation for Wales,” said Carolan.

The game against Wales will broadcast live on RTÉ 2 on Friday evening with kick-off at 7.45pm.

Ireland Under-20s: B Dardis (Leinster); C Gaffney (Connacht), G Ringrose (Leinster), S Arnold (Ulster), S Fitzgerald (Munster); R Byrne (Leinster), N McCarthy (Leinster, capt); J Loughman (Leinster), Z McCall (Ulster), O Heffernan (Leinster), C Romaine (Connacht), J Murphy (Leinster), NTimoney (Leinster), C Oliver (Leinster), L Dow (Ulster). Replacements: A McBurney (Ulster), A Porter (Leinster), C O'Donnell (Connacht), D O'Connor (Leinster), S McVeigh (Connacht), C Young (Ulster), J Carbery (Leinster), J Stockdale (Ulster).