Ireland out to maintain unbeaten record Rugby Under-21 preview

Wales U-21 v Ireland U-21 Eugene Cross Park (2.30). Today's game represents a clash of the only two unbeaten sides in the under-21 Six Nations Championship. Michael Bradley's Ireland team have already accounted for Scotland, Italy and France while their Welsh hosts have easily overcome Italy, Scotland and England, thrashing the latter 35-9.

Wales, traditionally the benchmark by which teams judge themselves at this level, have lost just three matches in the last 23 in this competition. Ireland though will take confidence from the victory over the French at Musgrave Park last time out (13-12) but show three changes from that match.

Lansdowne prop John Lyne, who captained the team in their opening game against Scotland but who missed the last two games through injury, returns at loosehead with Belfast Harlequins tighthead Declan Fitzpatrick taking over from Jason Moran (UCD). Lyne's return means Eugene McGovern (Old Crescent) drops to the bench.

There is one further change with St Mary's College Ciarán Potts preferred to John Muldoon (Galwegians) at blindside flanker, the latter dropping to the bench. UCC's Stephen Keogh retains the captaincy.

Wales coach Chris Davey makes two changes to the side that defeated Scotland 25-10. He admitted: "They were marginal decisions. I have brought in Huw Bennett for Keiron Crawford at hooker and Robin Sowden-Taylor for Richie Pugh at flanker. I have also gone for a complete front row on the replacements bench with only two backs.

"The reason for this is that I hear the Irish have a very strong scrum and we will combat that, while though James Stamatakis is now fit, I was impressed by his Cardiff colleague James Goode when he came on in Scotland and he stays in the squad.

"If we defeat Ireland, we will go to France with heads held high, but we have to get over this hurdle first. We want a good pitch to play on and the weather looks good. People keep asking what happens when good under-21 players leave us. Well, our development system is good, but then it's down to the clubs a lot. Provincial rugby should give these players a better chance. Let us hope so."

Ireland are in second place, Wales ahead on a points difference of +52, compared with Bradley's charges +30 and also leading on try-count by eight to seven. Wales' last defeat in the tournament came at today's venue last season against France.

Welsh coach Davey is correct in his assessment that Ireland boast a strong pack and if the visitors are to have a chance then it is the Irish eight that will have to lay the foundation.

WALES: G Swales (Swansea); W Kershaw-Naylor (Bristol), J Vaughton (Swansea), G Henson (Swansea), M Nuthall (Pontypridd); N Robinson (Cardiff), M Phillips (Llanelli); P James (Neath, capt), H Bennett (Swansea), R Thomas (Newport), B Griffiths (Llanelli), J Thomas (Swansea), M Lewis (Pontypridd), R Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff), J Malpas (Cardiff). Replacements: N Brew (Newport), R Richards (Neath), R Pugh (Swansea), J Goode (Cardiff), T Rhys Thomas (Newport), K Gay (Ebbw Vale), K Crawford (Ebbw Vale), J Yapp (Cardiff).

IRELAND: T Bowe (Belfast Harlequins); R Lane (UCC), B Murphy (UL Bohemian), K Matthews (UL Bohemian), J Hearty (Blackrock College); M Rainey (Glasgow Hawks), F O'Loughlin (Shannon); J Lyne (Lansdowne), R Best (Belfast Harlequins), D Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins); D Gannon (UCD), N McComb (Dundee HS); C Potts (St Mary's College), S Keogh (UCC, capt), N Ronan (Lansdowne). Replacements: K Corrigan (UCD), E Mc Govern (Old Crescent), S O'Connor (Cork Constitution), J Muldoon (Galwegians), C O'Loughlin (Buccaneers), D McAllister (Terenure College), P O'Brien (UCC).