Ireland make one change for Under-20s Championship final against France
The World Rugby Under-20s Championship final will take place at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Friday
©Steve Haag
Ireland Under 20 head coach Richie Murphy has made one change to the line up for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship final against France to be played in Cape Town on Friday.
James McNabney comes back into the back row joining Ruadhan Quinn and Brian Gleeson while Diarmuid Mangan moves to second row.
Max Clein, George Hadden, Fiachna Barrett, Charlie Irvine, Evan O’Connell, Oscar Cawley, Matty Lynch and Sam Berman are named on the bench.
“The entire group are fully focused on producing our best performance of the season on Friday night because we know we’ll need it against a very strong France team," said Murphy.
"We have made good progress throughout the tournament but we will need to fine-tune all areas of our game for the final.
“The players and staff are excited about the challenge ahead and we look forward to representing Ireland in the World Rugby U20 Championship final.
"The level of support we have received from back home throughout has been incredible and a major boost for everyone, and we will do everything to finish the season on the ultimate high.”
Ireland XV: Henry McErlean (Leinster); Andrew Osborne (Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Connacht), John Devine (Corinthians/Connacht), James Nicholson (Leinster); Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Fintan Gunne (Leinster); Paddy McCarthy (Leinster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster, capt), Ronan Foxe (Leinster), Diarmuid Mangan (Leinster), Conor O’Tighearnaigh (Leinster), James McNabney (Ulster), Ruadhan Quinn (Munster), Brian Gleeson (Munster).
Reserves: Max Clein (Munster), George Hadden (Leinster), Fiachna Barrett (Connacht), Charlie Irvine (Ulster), Evan O’Connell (Munster), Oscar Cawley (Leinster), Matthew Lynch (Leinster), Sam Berman (Leinster).
