It's Ireland Vs Scotland in the U20s Six Nations opener from Irish Independent Park in Cork this evening where Noel McNamara's side are aiming to retain their title.
When the class of 2019 travelled to Netherdale Stadium in Scotland last year, Ireland recorded a comprehensive 5-24 victory. Tighthead Thomas Clarkson is the only member of that team starting tonight's game with players like Scott Penny and Harry Byrne already going on to achieve significant success at senior level following last year's success.
Who will graduate from this year's class? This evening could give us a good inclination.
Conditions appear to be ideal for a fluid game of rugby on Leeside in what will hopefully be the start of a glorious weekend for Irish rugby.
The Ireland squad for tonight's game is as follows:
15. Oran McNulty (Millfield School / Corinthians RFC / Connacht)
14. Ethan McIlroy (Methody College / Queens RFC / Ulster)
13. Dan Kelly (Kirkham Grammar / Loughborogh University / IQ Rugby)
12. Hayden Hyde (Cranleigh School / Ballynahinch RFC / Ulster)
11. Andrew Smith (St Michael's College / Clontarf FC / Leinster)
10. Jack Crowley (Bandon RFC / Cork Constitution FC / Munster)
9. Lewis Finlay (Down High School / Malone RFC / Ulster)1. Charlie Ward (Tullow RFC / Clontarf FC / Leinster)
2. Tom Stewart (Belfast Royal Academy / Ballynahinch RFC / Ulster)
3. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College / Dublin University FC / Leinster)
4. Brian Deeny (Wexford Wanderers / Clontarf FC / Leinster)
5. Thomas Ahern (Waterpark RFC / Shannon RFC / Munster)
6. Sean O'Brien (Blackrock College / UCD RFC / Leinster)
7. Mark Hernan (St Michael's College / Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
8. David McCann (RBAI / Banbridge RFC / Ulster)(captain)
Replacements:
16. John McKee (Campbell College / Old Belvedere / Leinster)
17. Ciaran Ryan (Rockwell College / Cashel RFC / Munster)
18. Ryan McMahon (Clongowes Wood College / Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster)
19. Joe McCarthy (Blackrock College / Dublin University FC / Leinster)
20. Alexis Soroka (Belvedere College / Dublin University FC / Leinster)
21. Ben Murphy (Presentation College Bray / Clontarf FC / Leinster)
22. Tim Corkery (Kilkenny RFC / Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
23. Luis Faria (Newpark Comprehensive / Dublin University FC / Leinster)
