Nigel Carolan expects Donnybrook u20s thriller

Few are expecting Ireland’s clash with England at the Aviva Stadium to be a thing of beauty this Sunday, but those eager for a dash of more aesthetic, attacking rugby would do well to make for Donnybrook on Friday.

Nigel Carolan took over from Mike Ruddock this year with the promise that his U20 charges would play heads-up rugby and the performances against Italy and France have revealed the Connacht academy coach to be a man of his word.

Ireland have claimed 11 tries and 84 points in the opening two rounds and, in England’s world champions, they face a side that flushed a surprise defeat to Wales out of their system with nine touchdowns and 61 unanswered points against the Italians.