Boost for Ireland U20s with clean bill of health

Ireland will be bidding to prevent a fourth successive loss at this level when they take on Six Nations Grand Slam winners Wales in the opening game of the World Rugby U-20 Championship in Manchester today (5.30pm).

The design of this competition, now in its eighth year, ensures at least two of the top teams in the world will be in each of the three pools as a dozen countries battle it out for the title.

This year is no exception for Ireland, with the Six Nations champions being followed on Saturday by New Zealand, who won it for the fifth time last year in Italy.