Ireland U21 team named

With the RBS Six Nations Championship occupying everybody’s thoughts, the Ireland under 21s will be opening their Six Nations Championship away to Italy in Udine (110km from Venice) this Saturday.

Influential outhalf Gareth Steenson returns from last year's side and will captain the team, with winger Paul McKenzie also a survivor from last year.

The Ireland U21 Team and replacements to play against Italy U21 in Udine on Saturday, 5th February at 14.30hrs is as follows: Mark Kettyle (Belfast Harlequins), Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins), Tom Gleeson (UCC), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena), Paul McKenzie (Belfast Harlequins), Gareth Steenson (Dungannon), Cillian Willis (UCD), Michael Diffley (Buccaneers), Joeseph Merrigan (Corinthians), John Andress (Belfast Harlequins), Lewis Stevensen (Belfast Harlequins), Mark Melbourne (Garryowen), Brett McNamee (Northampton), Anthony Kavanagh (Garryowen), Stephen Ferris (Dungannon).

Replacements: Stuart Philpott (Saracens), Eamonn Bracken (Buccaneers), Trevor Richardson (Buccaneers), Chris Henry (Malone), David O’Leary (UCC), Barry Keeshan (Cork Constitution), Kieran Geraghty (London Irish).