Coach Nigel Carolan has picked six players from last year for Ireland's opening match against Italy Under 20s. Five will lineout in the opener in Stadio Pozzi Lamarmora with Munster's Jack Cullen starting on the bench.

Up front, tighthead prop Oisin Heffernan, who played last year, partners new recruits Jeremy Loughman and Queens University hooker Zack McCall in the front row.

There are three of the six former players starting n the pack with UCD’s blind side flanker Josh Murphy and openside Rory Moloney also lining out in the backrow.

Ireland go into the series hoping to improve on last season’s three defeats in the championship. Losing to Wales, England and France left the team well down the order. But they beat Italy 18-0 in Dubarry Park and hope to start in that vein with England and France at home this season.

Carolan can also field some experience in the halfbacks with team captain Nick McCarthy partnering new cap Ross Byrne at outhalf.

Leinster A winger and centre Gary Ringrose takes up his more familiar role of 13 with Leinster's Billy Dardis, another veteran from last season, at fullback

“Any time you play an Italian side it’s a fight, but it’s something players will need to adapt to,” said Carolan.

“To play the opening game away from home is always a challenge, but we are focused and are looking forward to kicking off”.

Ireland Under-20 team:

Billy Dardis (UCD/ Leinster)*; Greg O’Shea (Shannon/ Munster), Garry Ringrose (UCD/ Leinster)*, Fergal Cleary (Lansdowne / Leinster), Jack Owens (QUB/ Ulster); Ross Byrne (UCD / Leinster), Nick McCarthy (UCD/ Leinster) (Capt)*; Jeremy Loughman (UCD / Leinster), Zack McCall (QUB/Ulster), Oisin Heffernan (Terenure/Leinster)*; David O’Connor (St. Mary’s/Leinster), Alex Thompson (QUB/Ulster); Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster)*, Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/Connacht)*, Lorcan Dow (QUB/Ulster).

Replacements: Adam McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster), Michael Lagan (Ballymena/Ulster), Conan O'Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht), Cian Romaine (Buccaneers/Connacht), Nick Timoney (St. Mary's/Leinster), Jack Cullen (Shannon/Munster)*, Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster), Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster).

*Denotes previously capped at this level.

RBS 6 Nations Ireland Under-20 Fixtures:

Fri 6 Feb 19:00 (18:00 GMT) Italy U20 v Ireland U20 Stadio Pozzi Lamarmora

Fri 13 Feb 19:05 Ireland U20 v France U20 Dubarry Park

Fri 27 Feb 19:05 Ireland U20 v England U20 Donnybrook

Fri 13 Mar 19:45 Wales U20 v Ireland U20 Parc Eirias

Fri 20 Mar 19:30 Scotland U20 v Ireland U20 Netherdale