The Ireland U-20 team to play France in their second match of the RBS Six Nations U-20 Championship shows one change from the side that beat Italy in Athlone last Friday.

Holders Ireland will start their RBS Six Nations U-20 Championship at home to Italy at Dubarry Park on Friday night.

THE curtain comes down on a successful IRB under 19 World Championship in Belfast today, with the host nation bidding to finish on a positive note when they face Scotland in the 9th Place Play-Off Final at Ravenhill (3pm).

Ireland coach Charlie McAleese has rung the changes once more to the Ireland U19 team that will play Scotland in the ninth place playoff in the U19 IRB U19 World Championship tomorrow in Ravenhill.

A TOURNAMENT that started so promisingly for Ireland U19s now sees the hosts fighting for respectability.

RAVENHILL will be close to capacity tonight for Ireland’s win-or-bust final pool clash with South Africa in the IRB World U-19 Championship.

WHAT drama at Ravenhill last evening as Ireland snatched victory from under the noses of Scotland in the IRB U-19 World Championship.

THE palpable sense of disappointment in the aftermath of Ireland U19’s 15-10 bonus point defeat to Australia, demonstrated a deep-rooted realisation that a top four finish — and a place in the World Championship semi-finals — is well within this side’s grasp.

Management have announced the Ireland U19 team to play Australia U19 in the IRB Under 19 World Championship in Ravenhill, Belfast on Thursday, April 5, at 19.30pm.

THE Ireland U19 team begin their preparations for the IRB U19 World Championship with a game against Wales in Stradey Park tomorrow night (7.15pm).

The Ireland U-19 team begins its preparations for this year’s IRB U-19 World Championship with a game against Wales in Stradey Park this Friday night.

Coach Mark McDermott has made three changes to the Ireland U21 team from the side played Argentina last week for the repeat encounter in the IRB U-21 World Championship tomorrow.

Ireland U21 22 Argentina U21 26

There are four changes to the Ireland U21 team for their next IRB U21 Rugby World Championship encounter with Argentina following their defeat by the hosts, France, on Friday.

The Ireland Under-21 team to play hosts France on the opening day of the 2006 IRB U-21 World Championship has been announced.

Coach Mark McDermott will lead his Ireland U21 squad into battle at the World Cup in France next month.

THE All-Ireland league recommences today and though attendances and incomes are falling, grassroots passion remains as strong as ever. Declan Colley canvasses the opinions of those at the coalface.

The Ireland Under 19 team to meet Japan in Durban on Wednesday for the right to take part in the 9th-10th place play-off next Sunday has been named.

South Africa U-19 32 Ireland U-19 8

Ireland Under-19s face the daunting task of meeting host nation South Africa in the IRB World Cup in Pietermaritzburg this afternoon.

The Ireland Under 19 team to play Georgia Under 19 in Kings Park, Durban on Friday has been named.

A poor international weekend continued for Irish rugby this afternoon as both the Under-19s and women's side went down to their English counterparts in Dublin.

The Ireland U19 team and replacements to play against England U19 at Blackrock College RFC, Stradbrook, on Saturday, February 26, is as follows:

Irish Schools 20 Irish U19’s 5

The Ireland U21 and U19 teams to play Irish Schools have been named.