Nash To Captain Ireland U20s v France

Calvin Nash is set to captain the Irish U20s as there is a strong Munster contingent for the resumption of Ireland’s Six Nations, playing France on Friday at Donnybrook.

The game, which kicks-off at 8pm in south Dublin, sees Nash joined in the backs by out-half Bill Johnston, who makes his first appearance for Nigel Carolan’s side since June of last year.

Joey Conway is Munster’s sole contribution to the Irish pack for the clash, the UL Bohemians player again taking the number 1 jersey in an unchanged front row from the win against Italy a fortnight ago.

On the replacements bench Gavin Coombes again has an opportunity to put on the Irish shirt along with Young Munster teammate Jack Lyons; Cork Constitution’s Alex McHenry joins the fold, looking to earn his first cap, also joined on the bench by Conor Fitzgerald. Fineen Wycherley is unavailable due to his inclusion in Munster’s squad against Scarlets on the same day.

The Irish won their first game against the Scots 20-19, and followed it up with another single point victory against Italy in Prato.

Ahead of the French encounter, Head Coach Nigel Carolan said;

“We've been forced to make a number of changes due to injuries this week, but that gives other players the opportunity to demonstrate what they can offer.

The players trained with the Senior squad last Friday in Monaghan and they will have taken a lot of positives from that session which they carried into training this week.

The French bounced back well from their defeat to England to win convincingly against Scotland, so we have a big challenge ahead of us this Friday, however with the quick surface in Donnybrook, along with playing in front of our home fans, the players are looking forward to getting out there and are looking to put in a good performance”.

Ireland U20 vs France U20, Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin, 8.00pm
15. Rob Lyttle (Queen's University Belfast / Ulster)
14. Jordan Larmour (St. Mary's College / Leinster)
13. Tommy O'Brien (UCD RFC / Leinster)
12. Ciaran Frawley (UCD RFC / Leinster)
11. Calvin Nash (Young Munster / Munster) Captain
10. Bill Johnston (Garryowen / Munster)
9. Johnny Stewart (Queen's University Belfast / Ulster)
1. Joey Conway (UL Bohemians / Munster)
2. Tadgh McElroy (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
3. Charlie Connolly (Dublin University / Leinster)
4. Jack Regan (UCD RFC / Leinster)
5. Oisin Dowling (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
6. Marcus Rea (Queen's University Belfast / Ulster)
7. Paul Boyle (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
8. Caelan Doris (St. Mary's College / Leinster)

Replacements
16. Ronan Kelleher (UCD RFC / Leinster)
17. Rory Mulvihill (UCD RFC / Leinster)
18. Peter Cooper (Belfast Harlequins / Ulster)
19. Gavin Coombes (Young Munster / Munster)
20. Sean Masterson (Corinthians / Connacht)
21. Jack Lyons (Young Munster / Munster)
22. Conor Fitzgerald (Shannon RFC / Munster)
23. Alex McHenry (Cork Constitution / Munster)