RBS6N: Teams up for Ireland v Wales U20’s Fixture

Teams have been announced for Friday evenings Six Nations clash between Ireland and Wales Under 20’s which takes place at Donnybrook. KO 19:35, live on RTE2.

Only two Ulster youngsters have made the cut for the match day squad with Johnny McPhillips starting at out half and Adam McBurney filling the hooking berth for the second year running. Jacob Stockdale, who benched for Ulster last weekend, has been held back at Ravenhill, and Robert Lyttle appears to have missed out this time round.

Ireland U20’s won their opening two games, in last season’s championship, beating Italy and France, but their campaign went somewhat off the rails after that as they lost to all three of the home nations including a 19 – 12 loss to Wales at Parc Eirias. More recently they also lost to Wales in the play off stages of the 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship going down 22 – 12 in Viadana in June 2015.

However, it’s a new season, and with both teams only retaining four players from those last encounters, this game will go to whichever side has prepared the best. Here, Ireland should have a significant advantage having been able to train regularly on the new 4G pitch at Donnybrook.