Carolan: It’s still there for taking

Ireland U20 coach Nigel Carolan still believes ‘the championship is there for the taking’ ahead of tomorrow night’s crucial RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales (Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay, 7.45pm).

Carolan has made a number of changes from the side defeated by England in a bid to get their title dream back on track.

Ciarán Gaffney, who returns from a hamstring injury, joins Sam Arnold and Billy Dardis in the back line. There is a new look second-row with Cian Romaine promoted from the bench to pair up with Josh Murphy who moves from the back row. Conor Oliver makes his 2015 tournament debut along with Nick Timoney, who comes in from the replacements, to partner up with Lorcan Dow to complete the pack.

Carolan said: It was disappointing to lose to England in the last round, but we have put that behind us now in preparation for Wales. We have addressed the key areas that were highlighted against England and hopefully we can take our chances when they come along. The championship is still there for the taking and we look forward to getting it back on track this Friday.” The game will be broadcast live on RTÉ Two.

IRELAND U20 (v Wales): B Dardis (UCD/ Leinster), C Gaffney (Galwegians/Connacht), G Ringrose (UCD/ Leinster), S Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster), S Fitzgerald (Shannon/ Munster), R Byrne (UCD / Leinster), N McCarthy (UCD/ Leinster), J Loughman (UCD / Leinster), Z McCall (QUB/Ulster), O Heffernan (Terenure/Leinster), C Romaine (Buccaneers/Connacht), J Murphy (UCD/Leinster), N Timoney (St. Mary’s/Leinster), C Oliver (St. Mary’s/ Leinster), L Dow (QUB/Ulster).

Replacements: A McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster), A Porter (UCD/ Leinster), C O’Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht), D O’Connor (St. Mary’s/Leinster), S McVeigh (Buccaneers/ Connacht), C Young (QUB/Ulster), J Carbery (UCD/Leinster), J Stockdale (QUB/ Ulster).