Ruddock makes changes in the trenches

Rugby news:Ireland Under-20s coach Mike Ruddock has rejigged his front row ahead of Friday night's Six Nations title decider against England. Hooker Niall Scannell returns to Ruddock's Grand Slam chasing side for the showdown at High Wycombe.

Scannell will be joined in the front row by loosehead prop Des Merrey with Kyle McCall shifting to tighthead in order to accomadate the Clontarf man.

Ruddock has kept faith in the players that have swept aside all before them so far in this campaign. England were beaten in France last weekend but could still snatch the title with a win by virtue of their superior points difference.

With the Irish Women's team chasing a Triple Crown, coach Philip Doyle has made just a solitary change to the side to meet England in Esher with Gillian Bourke replacing hooker Paula Fitzgerald.

“We have been very lucky this tournament, we haven’t had to make too many changes and the depth in the squad is very strong,” Doyle said this afternoon.

“We are very realistic in our outlook and firmly believe we have closed the gap to put in a significant challenge on Saturday.”

Ireland U-20(v England, Adams Park, Friday 8.05pm): S Layden (Buccaneers /Connacht); C Finn (Buccaneers/Connacht), C Farrell (Dungannon/Ulster), JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster), F Horan (Lansdowne/Leinster); P Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster), L McGrath (UCD/Leinster); D Merrey (Clontarf/Leinster), N Scannell (Dolphin/Munster), K McCall (Ballynahinch/Ulster); I Henderson (Queens/Ulster), D Qualter (Buccaneers/Connacht); C Gilsenan (UCD/Leinster), A Conneely (Corinthians/Connacht), J Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster). Replacements:J Rael (Garryowen/Munster), P Reilly (Lansdowne/Leinster), J Cawley (Old Belvedere/Leinster), T Beirne (Lansdowne/Leinster), J Coghlan (UCD/Leinster), K Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht), C Marsh (Dublin University/Leinster), S Olding (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster).

Ireland Women(v England Women,Esher RFC, Saturday 2pm): A Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster); N Kavanagh (UL Bohemians/Munster), N Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster), G Davitt (Cooke/Ulster), A Miller (Portlaoise/Highfield/Connacht); L Cantwell (Exile),A Davis (Blackrock/Leinster); F Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster), G Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster), A Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster); S Spence (Exile), ML Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster); L Guest (Highfield/Munster), C Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), J Neville (UL Bohemians/Munster). Replacements:P Fitzpatrick (St. Mary's College/Leinster), R O'Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht), S Fleming (Tralee/Munster), H O'Brien (Highfield/Munster), L Muldoon (Exile/UWIC/Ulster), S Houston (Blackrock College/Leinster), J Murphy (Exile).