UNDER-20 SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP:MIKE RUDDOCK'S Irish under-20 side arrive in what is very likely to be an ice-cold Dubarry Park with seven players from last season available to him again for their first Six Nations match of the season. That gives the Irish coach a slight edge in terms of experience as Wales come with five players who played with them in 2011.
But both sides know from past experience that in the seven matches played they have both won three and drawn one. Wales, though, arrive with the freshest memory of victory. In last year’s Junior World Cup in June they ran out clear 38-24 winners in Stadio di Monigo in the seventh-eighth place play-off match.
Those not available to Ruddock include hooker Niall Annett, Craig Gilroy, Andrew Conway and Jordi Murphy, who have all made big impressions around Ulster and Leinster. But Daniel Qualter will again partner Iain Henderson in the secondrow while fellow Connacht native Aaron Conneely returns to the backrow.
Centre JJ Hanarahan also makes a return to the side along with Sam Coghlan-Murray who has been named on the wing. Kieran Marmion, another returnee, will take up the scrumhalf position and will join a familiar figure in Paddy Jackson, who has been named outhalf and captain.
“We are all looking forward to the start of the Six Nations. It is always a tough test against Wales but preparations have been first class and we are confident we have prepared as best as we can and are now looking forward to transferring that training onto the pitch itself,” said Ruddock.
Last March in this competition the sides finished 26-26 in Parc y Scarlets. But with 10 new caps and without players of the calibre of Llanelli fullback Steve Shingler, Wales have a tough assignment.
Head Coach Danny Wilson has named Kirby Myhill as the captain to lead his side. Wilson believes Myhill will stand up as captain and is a natural leader, which is what Wales will need if they hope to get a result in the Irish midlands.
Professional and well-respected, Myhill played in the Junior World Cup and has been a big part of the Scarlets set up this season. But Ireland surely believe they left a victory behind last season when Jackson’s kick for the win in Llanelli dramatically bounced off the left post.
Ireland finally won two against Italy and Scotland, drew with Wales and lost to France and England. This should be a positive beginning for the new season.
IRELAND UNDER-20: S Layden (Connacht); B Daly (Leinster), F Horan (Leinster), JJ Hanrahan (Munster), S Coghlan-Murray (Leinster); P Jackson (Ulster, capt), K Marmion (Connacht); K McCall (Ulster); N Scannell (Munster); P Reilly (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster); D Qualter (Connacht); C Gilsenan (Leinster); A Conneely (Corinthians); J Conan (Leinster). Replacements: D Merrey (Leinster), J Rael (Munster), J Cawley (Leinster), T Beirne (Leinster), J Coghlan (Leinster), L McGrath (Leinster), C Marsh (Leinster), C Farrell (Ulster).
WALES UNDER 20: R Jones; I Evans, N Edwards, C Allen, L Morgan; S Davies, J Evans; R Evans, K Myhill (c), W John, M Screech, R Hughes, E Jenkins, D Thomas, R Thomas. Replacements: J Sollis, T Davies, D Crimmins, I Jones, J Davies, Lewis Williams, L Williams.
