Ruddock forced into four U20 changes

IRELAND U20 coach Mike Ruddock’s hand has once again been forced by provincial call-ups, leading him to make four changes to the side that takes on England in their final RBS Six Nations clash with England at Dubarry Park tomorrow (7.45pm).

Connacht’s Tiernan O’Halloran returns to the starting line-up, joining Michael Sherlock and Andrew Boyle in an exciting back-three. Munster’s JJ Hanrahan starts at inside centre in place of Luke Marshall, while Cathal Marsh comes in at out-half for Paddy Jackson.

Marshall, Jackson and winger Craig Gilroy have been called up to the Ulster squad for their Magners League clash with the Dragons.

Up front, David Doyle, Ireland’s late try scorer in Llanelli, comes in at hooker for injured captain Niall Annett. Number eight Jordi Murphy will now captain the team.

Much like their senior counterparts, Ireland are out of the championship reckoning but are instead looking to thwart the ambitions of a Grand Slam-chasing England side.

IRELAND U20 (v England): M Sherlock (Clontarf); T O’Halloran (Galwegians), A Kelly (UCD), JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohs), A Boyle (UCD); C Marsh (Dublin Univ), B McIlroy (Ballymena); J Tracy (Leinster), D Doyle (UCD), M Moore (Lansdowne); M Kearney (Clontarf), D Qualter (Buccaneers); S Buckley (Garryowen), A Conneely (Corinthians), J Murphy (Lansdowne, capt).

Replacements: J Rael (Garryowen), T Furlong (Clontarf), C O’Flaherty (Cork Con), S Lecky (Glasgow Hawks), M Dolan (Corinthians), G Quinn McDonogh (Shannon), C O’Shea (Clontarf).