Call-ups rule out U20 trio

THREE first-choice players from the Irish team that defeated Italy in Parma last week are out of contention for the second RBS 6 Nations U20 clash against France at Dubarry Park, Athlone, tonight (7.45pm).

Four more have been called up for Magners League action and while it seems strange clubs take precedence over international competition, Irish coach Mike Ruddock is looking on the positive despite losing players of the quality of Brendan Macken and Andrew Conway to Leinster and Craig Gilroy and Luke Marshall to Ulster.

France travel with a star-studded side that demolished Scotland 49-5 in Caen.

It took Ireland a long time to shake off the Italians and Ruddock’s side then had to endure considerable pressure in the closing minutes when reduced to 13 players after two sin-bin losses. “What pleased me more than anything was that our defence showed up when we were down two players. Italy provided us with a challenge for sure, and it was a very good win in my mind.

“France will be strong, it will be a huge challenge; they’re a very big side that will be strong in the scrum. They’ve got some very good backs too and the out-half (Jean Marc Doussain of Toulouse) is very hot and kicks goals as well so our discipline has got to be very good.”

On the positive side, Ruddock believes the use of more players even this early in the championship will be of benefit to Ireland. “For now, the boys have trained well, the spirit is very good in the camp.”

IRELAND: M Sherlock (Clontarf/Leinster), T O’Halloran (Galwegians/Connacht), A Kelly (UCD/Leinster), N McDonald (Exile), A Boyle (UCD/Leinster), P Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster), B McIlroy (Ballymena/Ulster), J Tracy (UCD/Leinster), N Annett (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), C Carey (Ballymena/Ulster), D O’Mahony (UCC/Munster), D Qualter (Buccaneers/Connacht), D Heffernan (Lansdowne/Connacht), A Conneely (Corinthians/Connacht), J Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster).

Replacements: D Doyle (UCD/Leinster), F Bealham (Exile), I Henderson (Queen’s University/Ulster), S Buckley (Garryowen/Munster), P du Toit (UCD/Leinster), J McKinney (Queen’s University/Ulster), JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohs/Munster).