Ireland U20s head coach Richie Murphy has made three changes to the starting line up that defeated Italy 27-44 two weeks ago in the U20s Six Nations Championship, with his side taking on Scotland in Glasgow this Friday [kick-off 7.15pm]
Andrew Osborne, brother of Jamie, comes in at right wing for his first appearance of the tournament, with Evan O'Connell starting at lock.
Connacht's Fiachna Barrett also gets his first start at tight head prop, with the in form Paddy McCarthy dropping to the bench.
Diarmuid Mangan drops to the bench for O'Connell, while Liam Molony and Matthew Lynch - both of Dublin University - come onto the bench as well.
Judging by results so far, Ireland U20s will be comfortable favourites, with Scotland only scraping past Wales, and suffering a big 54-12 loss to the French. Home advantage shouldn't as valuable to them either as it is to the seniors in Murrayfield.
“We are continuing to build and evolve each week and we hope to bring our performance to a new level on Friday night, with Scotland set to pose a considerable challenge at their home ground," said Richie Murphy ahead of the game.
Ireland U20s Will Be Heavy Favourites Against Scotland
24 February 2023; Brian Gleeson of Ireland in action against Alex Mattioli of Italy during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Italy and Ireland at Stadio Comunale di Monigo in Parma, Italy. Photo by Roberto Bregani/Sportsfile
Ireland U20s:
15. Henry McErlean (Terenure/Leinster)
14. Andrew Osborne (Naas/Leinster)
13. Hugh Cooney (Clontarf/Leinster)
12. John Devine (Corinthians/Connacht)
11. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians/Connacht)
10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)
9. Fintan Gunne (Terenure/Leinster)
1. George Hadden (Clontarf/Leinster)
2. Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)(captain)
3. Fiachna Barrett (Corinthians/Connacht)
4. Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
5. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD/Leinster)
6. James McNabney (Ballymena/Ulster)
7. Ruadhán Quinn (Old Crescent/Munster)
8. Brian Gleeson (Garryowen/Munster)
Replacements:
16. Danny Sheahan (UCC/Munster)
17. George Morris (Lansdowne/Leinster)
18. Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University/Leinster)
19. Diarmuid Mangan (UCD/Leinster)
20. Liam Molony (Dublin University/Leinster)
21. Oscar Cawley (Naas/Leinster)
22. Matthew Lynch (Dublin University/Leinster)
23. Rory Telfer (Queen’s University/Ulster).
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