Ireland in a good place, insists Noel McNamara

Ireland’s representatives at the U20s grade haven’t exactly made Donnybrook a fortress since swapping Dubarry Park for the Dublin venue midway through the 2015 Six Nations campaign.

Three wins and as many defeats have been recorded at Leinster Rugby’s old home since then but Noel McNamara’s boys have the opportunity to improve things with three home matches on the spin to come in the next month.

First up is tonight’s meeting with Italy (7.15pm, RTÉ Two, live). After that it is the Welsh and then the Scots before a date with England’s reigning champions at the Ricoh Arena.