Rugby

Under-20s: Nigel Carolan confident ahead of French trip

‘We’ve addressed the key areas, we’ll be looking for an improved performance’

Ireland manager Nigel Carolan expects an improvement from his team against France. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho

Wed Feb 10 2016 - 12:57

Ireland Under-20 head coach Nigel Carolan has named a much-changed team to face France on Friday in Narbonne, following last week's home defeat to Wales.

In the backs UCD’s Hugo Keenan, who started on the wing last week moves to full-back in place of the injured Jack Power.

Conor O’Brien (Clontarf), who won his first cap from the bench last week will start on the wing and St Mary’s and Ireland Sevens player Terry Kennedy will look to win his first Under-20s cap from the bench.

Up front, prop Conor Kenny (Buccaneers) takes the place of Sligo’s Conán O’Donnell, who moves to the replacements.

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Cork Con’s Dan Walsh, who will win his first Under-20s cap, comes straight into the back-row for the injured Will Connors.

Speaking ahead of the side departing for France, Carolan said:

“We were disappointed with how things went against Wales. I thought that we played well overall but mistakes proved costly in the end. We’ve hopefully addressed the key areas and we’ll be looking for an improved performance on Friday night.

“Our training sessions this week have been very positive and the players are looking forward to the game in Narbonne. If we can maximise on our opportunities, I’d be confident of a result against the French.”

IRELAND: Hugo Keenan (UCD / Leinster); Matthew Byrne (Terenure / Leinster), Shane Daly (Cork Con / Munster), Jimmy O'Brien (UCD / Leinster), Conor O'Brien (Clontarf / Leinster); Johnny McPhillips (QUB / Ulster), John Poland (Cork Con / Munster); Andrew Porter (UCD / Leinster), Adam McBurney (Ballymena / Ulster), Conor Kenny (Buccaneers / Connacht); Peter Claffey (Galwegians / Connacht), James Ryan (Lansdowne / Leinster)(captain); Cillian Gallagher (Sligo / Connacht), Dan Walsh (Cork Con / Munster), Max Deegan (Lansdowne / Leinster).

Replacements: Shane Fenton (Young Munster / Munster), James Bollard (Dublin University / Leinster), Conán O'Donnell (Sligo / Connacht), Sean O'Connor (Cashel / Munster), Kelvin Brown (Shannon / Munster), Stephen Kerins (Sligo / Connacht), Brett Connon (Newcastle Falcons), Terry Kennedy (St.Mary's / Leinster).

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