Ireland and England's U20 clash should ignite seven weeks of Six Nations action

England denied Ireland a hat-trick of Grand Slams when the two wide drew in Bath last year. 

BANGERS: Ireland and England's last three U20 Six Nations games have been classics. Pic: Harry Murphy, Sportsfile

If all eyes are straying towards Saturday’s meeting of Ireland and England in Dublin this week then there is plenty for the Six Nations aficionado to feast on before Simon Easterby’s lads get their bid for a Championship three-in-a-row underway.

France will get the senior tournament going on Friday night when Wales offer themselves up as sacrificial lambs in Saint-Denis, but the meeting of Ireland and England’s U20s in Cork on Thursday evening can get the next seven weeks off to an explosive start.