Ireland can still claim title

UNDER 20 RUGBY:Wales v Ireland - THE CRUSHING disappointment of defeat against Scotland last time out means Ireland's hopes of winning a Grand Slam and repeating the feat of 2007 evaporated last weekend in Falkirk. It was the manner of the loss, principally the performance, or lack thereof, that should rankle and guarantee a reaction from Allen Clarke's charges in Llanelli.

Shane Gahan, now recovered from injury, wins a first start in the centre and will form a very physical midfield with fellow Lansdowne man Eamonn Sheridan, while Adam Macklin is promoted from the bench to tighthead prop, with Jack McGrath switching across the frontrow.

Wales coach Phil Davies has adopted an experimental approach to the campaign with a young side most of whom will be available against next year.

Ireland can still win the championship with a victory – it will be a special night for Mike Ruddock’s boys, Rhys and Ciarán, who play in the green jersey against several of their team-mates at club level – depending on results in matches involving Scotland and France.

WALES U20:J Tovey; J Loxton, S Williams, A Beck, N Reynolds; D Langdon, T Knoyle; A Coundley, R Williams, S Andrews; J King, A Sweet; J Thomas, J Tipuric (capt), R Pitman. Replacements: C Attwell, S Gardiner, R Jenkins, J Navidi, J Leadbeater, R Downes, M Jarvis.

IRELAND U20:D Kearney (Lansdowne); R O'Mahony (Garryowen), S Gahan (Lansdowne), E Sheridan (Lansdowne), M Keating (Clontarf); I Madigan (Blackrock College), M Healy (Lansdowne); J McGrath (St Mary's College); T Sexton (Old Belvedere); A Macklin (Belfast Harlequins); C Ruddock (Neath), J Sandford (Queen's University); R Ruddock (Millfield School), D Ryan (Lansdowne), P O'Mahony (Cork Constitution, capt). Replacements: D McGregor (Ballynahinch), P McAllister (Ballynahinch), M Flanagan (UCD), M Noone (Seapoint), C Murray (Garryowen), A Burke (Garryowen), I McKinley (UCD).