The next generation can take flight on the fourth generation pitch.
Nigel Carolan’s Ireland Under 20s begin their first full season in Donnybrook with a stickler of an Electric Ireland Six Nations opener against an experienced Wales side.
Having finished seventh in last year’s World Championships and a disappointing fifth in the Six Nations, Carolan will be looking to make a fresh start with a largely new batch of players.
Only front-rowers Andrew Porter (Leinster), Adam McBurney (Ulster) and Conan O’Donnell (Connacht) from last year’s side start tonight (FRI), with the fourth survivor, wing Jacob Stockdale, needed by Ulster for their rescheduled PRO12 fixture with Dragons in Belfast.
That means a whole host of new faces have been getting to know each other since their first get-together in October, with a couple of challenge games over Christmas against Leinster and Munster development squads helping Carolan to select his starting XV.
Led by Leinster lock Jack Ryan, it features seven more Leinster players, three from Connacht, and two apiece from Munster and Ulster.
Carolan is happy with how his team have prepared for tonight’s Electric Ireland opener on Donnybrook’s 4G pitch.
“While the majority of the lads taking to the field on Friday will not have played at international level before, they have got good experience at provincial level and this has shown in their preparation over the last number of weeks and they’re all looking forward to getting out there,” said the Connacht academy manager.
“We played our final home game in Donnybrook last season and the 4G surface makes for a fast-paced game, regardless of the conditions. Dubarry Park was a great home for the Under 20s in recent seasons and we hope to replicate that support in Donnybrookon Friday night.”
In contrast to Ireland, Wales coach Jason Strange can call on seven veterans from last season’s campaign, with Scarlets flanker Tom Phillips – captaining the side -one of four starters with experience at regional level.
Wales, who beat Ireland twice last year – in the Six Nations and at the World Championships – are also relishing a run on the Donnybrook surface, which should see those in attendance treated to a entertaining game of rugby as Ireland go in search of a first title since 2010.
Tighthead O’Donnell is hoping to build on last year’s performance and reckons a good turnout from the fans can make all the difference.
“Last year we didn’t get the position that we wanted, hopefully we can redeem that this year and learn from our mistakes and go on to win it, hopefully,” he said.
“Hopefully there will be loads of fans there, it makes such a massive difference.”
IRELAND U-20: Jack Power (UCD/Leinster); Matthew Byrne (Terenure College/Leinster), Shane Daly (Cork Constitution/Munster), Jimmy O’Brien (UCD/Leinster), Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster); Johnny McPhillips (Queen’s University/Ulster), John Poland (Cork Constitution/Munster); Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster), Adam McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster), Conan O’Donnell (Sligo/Connacht); Peter Claffey (Galwegians/Connacht), James Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster) (CAPT); Cillian Gallagher (Sligo/Connacht), Will Connors (UCD/Leinster), Max Deegan (Lansdowne/Leinster).
Replacements: Shane Fenton (Young Munster/Munster), James Bollard (Dublin University/Leinster), Conor Kenny (Buccaneers/Connacht), Sean O’Connor (Cashel/Munster), Kelvin Brown (Shannon/Munster), Stephen Kerins (Sligo/Connacht), Brett Connon (Newcastle Falcons/Exile), Conor O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster).
WALES U-20: Rhun Williams (RGC); Elis-Wyn Benham (Cardiff Blues), Harri Millard (Cardiff Blues), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Keelan Giles (Ospreys); Dan Jones (Scarlets), Declan Smith (Scarlets); Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Blues), Dafydd Hughes (Scarlets), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Shane Lewis-Hughes (Cardiff Blues), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Tom Phillips (Scarlets) (capt), Shaun Evans (Scarlets), Harrison Keddie (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: Ifan Phillips (Scarlets), Robert Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Leon Brown (Newport Gwent Dragons), Bryce Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Morgan Sieniawski (Cardiff Blues), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys), Jarrod Evans (Cardiff Blues), Joe Thomas (Ospreys).
Referee: Thomas Charabas (France)
Assistant Referees: Sébastien Minery, Paul-Henri Courbier (both France)
Television Match Official: Vincent Azoulay (France)
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