Ireland U20s Ring The Changes For World Championship Playoff v Italy

The Ireland U20s take on Italy on Saturday evening in the 9th-place playoff, their final game of the Junior World Championship.

A tight opening day defeat to England was followed by a more resounding loss to Argentina, meaning this is effectively the third game straight of merely playing for pride for Ireland.

Recommended

Back-to-back victories over the USA and Fiji have, though, lifted the mood around the camp, and Ireland can finish the tournament on a high by securing 9th place on Saturday evening.

Head coach Andrew Browne has made a host of changes for the playoff in Kutaisi, Georgia, with captain Sami Bishti among those to miss out.

Ireland U20s: Browne makes changes

Andrew Browne has made an intriguing switch at fly-half, bringing Charlie O’Shea back into the starting XV, having started Daniel Green in the 9th-place semi-final against Fiji.

In the back three, Daniel Green replaces Johnny O’Sullivan, while Charlie Molony moves from full-back to the wing.

Rob Carney replaces Jack Deegan at outside centre and partners James O’Leary.

Captain Sami Bishti, out injured, has been replaced at tighthead by Blake McClean, while Josh Neill will skipper Ireland from the back-row.

Ireland U20s team to play Italy

15 Daniel Green (Queen’s Uni/Ulster); 14 Charlie Molony (UCD/Leinster), 13 Rob Carney (Cashel/Munster), 12 James O’Leary (UCC/Munster), 11 Daniel Ryan (Corinthians/Connacht); 10 Charlie O’Shea (UCC/Munster), 9 Christopher Barrett (UCC/Munster); 1 Max Doyle (UCD/Leinster), 2 Duinn Maguire (UCD/Leinster), 3 Blake McClean (Instonians/Ulster); 4 Joe Finn (Garryowen/Munster), 5 Donnacha McGuire (UCD/Leinster); 6 Josh Neill (captain, Old Wesley/Leinster), 7 Alex Lautsou (Shannon/Munster), 8 Diarmuid O’Connell (Corinthians/Connacht)

Ireland replacements: 16 Rian Handley (Old Wesley/Leinster), 17 Adam Cooper (Buccaneers/Connacht), 18 Luke Murtagh (Galwegians/Connacht), 19 Sean Walsh (MU Barnhall/Leinster), 20 Charlie Keane (Corinthians/Connacht), 21 Luke Coffey (Blackrock College/Leinster), 22 Sean Walsh (Corinthians/Connacht), 23 Jack Deegan (Blackrock/Leinster)

The Ireland U20s face Italy in the Junior World Championship 9th place playoff in Kutaisi, Georgia at 5:30pm Irish time. The game is live on RugbyPass TV.