Ruddock demanding improvement

Ireland U20 coach Mike Ruddock believes an improvement to the set-piece will be the key to defeating France in Grenoble tomorrow.

Ruddock’s charges got their Six Nations campaign off to a winning start when late drop goals from skipper Paddy Jackson and replacement scrum-half Luke McGrath secured an 11-6 win over Wales in Athlone last weekend.

“We know we have to keep working on our set-piece,” said Ruddock.

“Our scrum and lineout can go up a level. We can get our alignment better and get our passes away and that will make a big difference.

“I thought our performance against Wales was 10 out of 10 for intent, but just seven out of 10 for execution, so there is room for improvement.”

The Irish U20 coach praised his captain Paddy Jackson for having the composure to land the lead drop goal after the Ulster man was off target with four kicks.

“He showed great professionalism to take the responsibility on his shoulders after missing a few kicks. He showed mental toughness to do that. Full credit to him,” he added.

Ruddock has made three changes to his side, one of them enforced, for the match against a French side whose opening game against Italy was called off due to bad weather.

Winger Barry Daly is out for six weeks with a broken thumb and he has been replaced by Conor Finn. McGrath takes over from Kieran Marmion at scrum-half after an impressive showing on his 19th birthday when introduced against Wales.

Another replacement, Chris Farrell, starts, having replaced Foster at outside centre Horan during the win over Wales.

The only other change is on the bench where Diarmuid Higgins of Buccaneers has been drafted in to replace the injured Jack Cawley.