After missing out on last week’s open training session at the Aviva Stadium, Ireland U20 winger Jonathan Wren is back in harness for tomorrow night’s Six Nations showdown against Italy (kick-off 6pm, Irish time).

The competition for places within the Ireland U20s set-up is set to intensify with the return of Craig Casey and Ryan Baird for Friday night’s Six Nations encounter with Italy in Rieti (kick off 6pm, Irish time).

Ireland, ever-present in the tournament since it started in Wales in 2008, will face a baptism of fire this evening when they open their World Rugby U20 Championship campaign against France at Stade Aime Giral.

A year which began with a frustrating hamstring injury which sidelined him for four months has taken a massive upward swing for newly appointed Irish U20 captain Caelan Doris.

One day you’re the breakout star of the U20 Six Nations. The next you’re fighting to keep your favourite No. 8 jersey for the World Cup.

Missing out on a World Cup would, under normal circumstances, be one of the lowest points in any player’s career, but it likely helped propel Jordan Larmour on to a much higher plain this season.

England 48 - Ireland 15: Ireland capitulated in the second-half as their U20 Six Nations finished in disappointing fashion at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Barry Daly insists he's not out to prove anyone wrong after finally hitting the big time with Leinster.

Nigel Carolan has asked his Irish U20 side to finish their campaign positively in Netherdale tonight by returning to the full-throttle game which has been suffocated by two defeats in a row.

U20 SIX NATIONS:

U20 SIX NATIONS:

Six Nations: Scotland U20 21 Ireland U20 20

U20 Six Nations: Ireland 16 England 15

U20 Six Nations: Wales 17 Ireland 15

Promising Connacht scrum-half Kieran Marmion knows he will have to be on his toes when Harlequins visit the Sportsground tomorrow evening, but he was fairly busy as well when the English champions visited back in January — checking the tickets of supporters entering the packed ground.

Fresh from an exciting Ireland U20 career, outside centre Foster Horan is looking to make a giant leap into the professional ranks with London Irish over the next few months.

Seven players from last year’s squad are included in the Ireland team for Friday night’s U20 Six Nations clash with Wales (Dubarry Park, Athlone. 7.05pm).

Ireland U-20 24 Wales U-20 17

ENGLAND U-20 coach Mark Mapletoft reckons last year’s shock defeat by Ireland provides all the motivation for his side ahead of tonight’s re-match at Kingsholm, Gloucester tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

IRELAND could hardly have asked for a better start to their U20 Six Nations campaign as they brushed Italy aside with ease at Dubarry Park in Athlone last night.

IRELAND U20 will be hoping the grizzled edge acquired from having the majority of their pack from last season around as they prepare for a physical encounter with Italy tonight at Dubarry Park (7.30pm).

Coach Eric Elwood has named an unchanged Ireland U20 side, going for a Grand Slam, to take on Italy in the U20 Six Nations on Friday.