Under-21 team named for Cup opener

The Ireland Under-21 team to play hosts France on the opening day of the 2006 IRB U-21 World Championship has been announced.

Coach Mark McDermott's starting line-up for the clash in Issoire on Friday (kick-off 6pm Irish time) shows six changes to the side that lost 40-5 to England U-21 in March in the final game of the U-21 6 Nations tournament.

The team will again be captained by Belfast Harlequins hooker Stuart Philpott. Shannon hooker Sean Cronin has been rewarded for his recent AIB League form with a place on the bench, while Leinster Academy player Devin Toner, who stands at 6ft 10in, starts in the second row.

The changes in the backline see Cork Constitution's Tom Gleeson start ahead of Darren Cave at outside centre, Kieran Hallett of the Bedford Blues comes in at out-half with Garryowen's Conan Doyle switching to inside centre with Fergus McFadden losing his place. Ballynahinch's Paul Marshall also returns at scrum half with Duncan Williams losing out.

In the pack, there are two changes in the front row and one at openside flanker. Darragh Hurley of UCC and Highfield's David Ryan are in at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively.

The highly-rated David Pollock of Queen's University, who captained Ireland at April's IRB U-19 World Championship in Dubai, takes Ejike Uzoigwe's place at number 7.

McDermott's squad for the competition includes three players from last year's World Championship panel - Philpott, Doyle and UCC flanker Ross Noonan.

The sides already met in this year's U-21 6 Nations in February with France running out 29-10 winners in Strasbourg.

IRELAND U-21: Fionn Carr (Blackrock College RFC); Peter Durcan (Galwegians), Tom Gleeson (Cork Constitution), Conan Doyle (Garryowen), Matthew Williams (Bristol); Kieran Hallett (Bedford Blues), Paul Marshall (Ballynahinch); Darragh Hurley (UCC), Stuart Philpott (Belfast Harlequins) (capt), David Ryan (Highfield), David McGowan (Buccaneers), Devin Toner (Lansdowne), Ross Noonan (UCC), David Pollock (Queen's University), Sean O'Brien (UCD).

Replacements: Sean Cronin (Shannon), Paul Doran Jones (Dublin University), Dan Tuohy (Hartpury College/Gloucester), Diarmuid Laffan (Blackrock College RFC), Duncan Williams (UCC), Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins), Ian Hanly (UL Bohemians).