Coach Mike Ruddock has made eight changes to the squad which beat Italy, including five new faces in the starting XV and three new players in the replacements.

Michael Sherlock comes in at full back with Tiernan O’Halloran, a member of last year’s squad named on the wing. Nathaniel McDonald comes in at centre to partner Alex Kelly.

A new look back row sees David Heffernan start at blindside with Aaron Conneely coming off the bench to openside and Jordi Murphy moving to number 8.

UCC's David O'Mahony makes a start in the second row alongside Daniel Qualter, while Ulster's James McKinney, Munster Academy player JJ Hanrahan and Sub Academy player Shane Buckley are included on the bench.

The Ireland U20 v France U20 game will broadcast live on RTE 2 on Friday evening, coverage starting at 19.30hrs.

Ireland U20s:

15 - Michael Sherlock (Clontarf - Leinster)
14 - Tiernan O'Halloran (Galwegians - Connacht)
13 - Alex Kelly (UCD - Leinster)
12 - Nathaniel McDonald (Exile)
11 - Andrew Boyle (UCD - Leinster)
10 - Patrick Jackson (Dungannon - Ulster)
9 - Blane McIlroy (Ballymena - Ulster)
1 - James Tracy (UCD - Leinster)
2 - Niall Annett (Belfast Harlequins - Ulster)
3 - Conor Carey (Ballymena - Ulster)
4 - David O'Mahony (UCC - Munster)
5 - Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers - Connacht)
6 - David Heffernan (Lansdowne - Connacht)
8 - Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne - Leinster)
7 - Aaron Conneely (Corinthians - Connacht)

Replacements:
16 - David Doyle (UCD - Leinster)
17 - Finlay Bealham (Exile)
18 - Iain Henderson (Queens - Ulster)
19 - Shane Buckley (Garryowen - Munster)
20 - Peter Du Toit (UCD - Leinster)
21 - James McKinney (Queens - Ulster)
22 - JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians - Munster)