Wales tipped to land Grand Slam

THE Welsh U21 side are aiming to land the Grand Slam with victory over Ireland at the Gnoll, Neath, this evening (7pm).

The odds firmly favour the hosts against an Irish side that managed only one victory against Italy in this year's competition.

UCC full-back Denis Hurley makes his debut, coming into the backline with both Mark Kettyle and Ross McCarron sidelined through injury.

With London Irish's Kieran Geraghty benched, Daniel Riordan will look to impress on the left wing, with regular Paul McKenzie the sole try-scorer against the French moving onto the right flank.

The pack, led by a trio of Dungannon's youth talent, is unchanged.

WALES U21: R. Williams, A. Brew, A. Bishop, D. Hewitt, C. Czekaj, M. Jones, J. Ireland , S. Roberts, D. Goodfield, C. Griffiths, A. Wyn Jones, I. Evans, C. Davies, J. Mills , J. Merriman.

IRELAND U21: D. Hurley (UCC) P. McKenzie (Belfast Harlequins), A. Trimble (Ballymena), G. Stafford (Lansdowne), D. Riordan (Corinthians), G. Steenson (Dungannon) (Capt), D. O'Leary (UCC); M. Diffley (Buccaneers), J. Merrigan (Corinthians), J. Andress (Belfast Harlequins), L. Stevenson (Belfast Harlequins), R. Caldwell (Dungannon), B. McNamee (Northampton), O. Hennessy (Dungannon), S Ferris (Dungannon).

Replacements: R. Quinn (UCC), E. Bracken (Buccaneers), M. Melbourne (Garryowen), C. Henry (Malone), P. Marshall (Ballynahinch), B. Keeshan (Cork Constitution), K. Geraghty (LI).