Ireland looking for second win but wary of the unknown

UNDER-20s SIX NATIONS:GRENOBLE, LOCATED at the foot of the Alps in south-east France, may be a great place to kick-off a skiing holiday. But at over 700 feet above sea level and with temperatures today expected to fall as low as minus 12 degrees for Ireland's Under-20 match against France, a fraught wait is in store for coach Mike Ruddock and his young side.

The Under-20s are looking for their second win of the championships after beating Wales last week in Athlone. But France more than Ireland would suffer if the match was affected as their Six Nations opener against Italy last week in Bourgoin was called off due to freezing conditions.

The game was scheduled to be played at the Stade Pierre Rajon in the east of the country but had to be postponed as a result of a frozen pitch. Today’s meeting is scheduled for the eponymously named Stade Des Alpes.

Ruddock has introduced two new faces into the side that beat Wales 11-6. Conor Finn has been brought into the starting team to replace Barry Daly on the right wing. Daly received a broken thumb in last week’s clash and underwent surgery on Sunday.

Diarmuid Higgins has also been introduced and will take his place on the bench, replacing Jake Cawley, who took a knock during last week’s game and is unavailable for selection this week.

Chris Farrell has been promoted from the bench to the centre along with scrumhalf Luke McGrath, both of whom make their first start of the series. Kieran Marmion and Foster Horan have been named in the replacements.

Ireland don’t really know what they face as France have yet to play but the breakdown area went well for Ruddock’s side last week.

Paddy Jackson had an off day with the boot, missing four, but kicked well to territory, while JJ Hanrahan again looked like a promising prospect in the centre.

Ireland lost by a massive 13-38 last year in Dubarry Park, so if the match goes ahead, Ireland are in for one of their toughest games of the competition until they meet last year’s champions, England, in the final match at Adams Park, High Wycome. on March 16th.

FRANCE: Domvo; Zebango, Danty, Perraux, Artru; Otazo, Ecochard (capt); Château, Kazubek, Galletier, Jedresiak, Chalureau, Fresia, Carbou, Poirot. Replacements: Fidinde, Custoja, Cotet, Aliouat, Chauveau, Escande, Catala, Farnoux.

IRELAND: S Layden (Connacht); C Finn (Connacht), C Farrell (Ulster), JJ Hanrahan (Munster), S Coughlan (Leinster); P Jackson (Ulster, capt), L McGrath (Leinster); K McCall (Ulster), N Scannell (Munster), P Reilly (Leinster), I Henderson (Ulster), D Qualter (Connacht), C Gilsenan (Leinster), A Conneely (Connacht), J Conan (Leinster). Replacements: D Merrey (Leinster), J Rael (Munster), D Higgins (Connacht) T Beirne (Leinster), J Coughlan (Leinster), K Marmion (Connacht), C Marsh (Leinster), F Horan (Leinster).