Ruddock changes for must-win tie

Ireland U20s coach Mike Ruddock has rung the changes for his side’s must-win IRB Junior World Championship pool finale against Italy today but a win may not be enough to reach the last four in South Africa.

After an opening upset against their Junior Springbok hosts, Ireland were brought back to earth by Six Nations rivals England last Friday, a defeat in the Stellenbosch rain which took qualification for the semi-finals out of Irish hands.

So Ireland need to beat the Pool B whipping boys Italy at Cape Town Stadium today and rely on the English to defeat the South Africans this evening in the same stadium.