Under-20 RBS 6 Nations

Irish U-20 coach Mike Ruddock believes his side can follow up on last year’s stunning opening day victory against South Africa by again laying down an early marker in the opening game of the Junior World Championship against Australia in Vannes this evening (5.45pm Irish time).

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From schools rugby last season to Heineken Cup fare today, Connacht full-back Robbie Henshaw has enjoyed a meteoric rise in his career.

Ireland’s Under 20s finished on a high to clinch fifth place at the Junior Rugby World Cup in Cape Town yesterday with a comprehensive victory over France in Cape Town’s Newlands Stadium.

Brian McLaughlin has made 10 changes to the Ulster XV for Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Munster at Thomond Park (kick off 7.30pm).

The Ireland Under-20 team has been named for their final fixture of the Under-20 RBS Six Nations Championship where they take on England in Adams Park on Friday.

The IRFU have announced Michael Kearney as the new Manager for the Ireland rugby team.

Declan Kidney has picked a strong team to face France in Ireland's second World Cup warm-up match in Bordeaux on Saturday night.

South Africa 57 Ireland 15

MUNSTER manager Shaun Payne last night described the clubs as the “lifeblood” of the game in the province in the wake of criticism of the provincial set-up by officials at grassroots level.

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Ulster coach Brian McLaughlin has made seven changes to his side to play Munster in the Magner’s League at Ravenhill on Friday.

Ireland U-20 Captain Rhys Ruddock has cut short his involvement in the Junior World Championships in Argentina after being called up to join the Ireland tour squad in New Zealand following injury to John Muldoon and Jamie Heaslip’s suspension.

THE popularity of rugby in Ireland is such that a fixture between Leinster and Connacht in Dublin today (RDS, 4.30pm) has a guaranteed attendance of almost 14,000.

ERIC ELWOOD is poised to take over as Connacht coach for next season – the former Irish international is expected to be unveiled at a press conference in the Sportsground today.

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 U-20 face a first real test of their Grand Slam credentials when they travel to face their French counterparts at Stade de la Chevaliere in Mazame tonight (RTÉ Two, 7.30pm).

An Ireland U-20 squad of 26 players has been named for the forthcoming U-20 RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Former Leicester Tigers hooker Gavin Hickie has returned to St Mary's College ahead of their season opener at home to Dublin rivals Clontarf at Templeville Road.

The Ireland U-20 team has been named for their final IRB Toshiba Junior World Championship match.

The following is the Ireland U-20 team to play Wales U-20 in Fukuoka on Wednesday evening in the IRB Toshiba Junior World Championship in Japan.

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Munster’s rugby Academy isn’t just a window to the future — it’s a key ingredient for ongoing success for the province. In the last of a four-part series on the up-and-comers vying for Munster’s Academy player of the year award, back-row Eoghan Grace spoke with Alan Good.

JUST like their senior counterparts, ‘Grand Slam’ is not a term being used loosely around Allen Clarke’s Ireland U-20 camp.

ANDREW BURKE gets a chance to prove his credentials as a potentially top-class out-half when he makes his first appearance for Ireland U-20 against France at Dubarry Park tonight (7.30pm).

THE Irish Rugby Football Union is likely to submit a written request to the GAA in a bid to have Croke Park made available for a possible Heineken Cup semi-final clash between Munster and Leinster in April.

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The Ireland U-20 team has been named for their first play-off game against Italy in Cardiff on Wednesday evening in this year’s IRB Junior World Championship.

Ireland U-20 coach Eric Elwood has named his first team of the IRB Junior World Championship.

UL Bohemians 20 Blackrock College 23

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THERE are three changes and one positional switch from the Ireland Under-20 side that lost to France for tomorrow night’s meeting with Scotland (Dubarry Park, Athlone, 7.30pm).

France U-20 24 Ireland U-20 13

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.

Leinster A 51 Ireland U-20 15