THE IRELAND U20's take on the French U20's in Musgrave Park Cork tonight.
Both sides won their opening game of the underage tournament but had contrasting evenings.
France narrowly beat the Italy U20's 28-27 in an away game, while Ireland beat the Wales U20's 27-44 in the same weekend.
Ritchie Murphy's side are the current Grand Slam champions but will have to overcome a strong French side if they are to have any chance of keeping their crown.
Here's a preview of the game tonight
Dublin , Ireland - 18 January 2023; Head coach Richie Murphy during a Ireland U20s squad announcement and media day at PwC offices in Dublin. (Photo By Ben McShane/Sportsfile via Getty Images)Where is it on?
Musgrave Park, Ireland
When is it on?
20:00 Irish time tonight
What TV station
RTE 2.
What time does coverage start
19:35
What happened last time
Ireland beat the French U20's 16- 17 last year
Ireland's record against France
Ireland and France have played each other 20 times. France have 12 times, while Ireland have won 8
Who are match officials
Referee: Angus Mabey (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: Anthony Woodthorpe (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Ben Blain (SRU)
TMO: David Rose (RFU)
Ireland captain
Gus McCarthy
Ireland head coach
Ritchie Murphy
Ireland team
Ireland head coach Ritchie Murphy have made one change to the team that beat Wales in the opening round.
Henry McErlean comes in at full back. Ike Anagu and Hugh Gavi start on the wings.
Gus McCarthy, once again captains Ireland from the front row. He's joined in the front pack by George Hadden and Paddy McCarthy.
Hugh Cooney and John Devine start as a midfield partnership.
Sam Prendergast and Fintan Gunne start at 10 and 9.
Diarmuid Mangan and Conor O’Tighearnaigh start in the second row.
James McNabney, Ruadhán Quinn and Brian Gleeson get the nod in the back row.
The Ireland U20s Match Day Squad to face France in Cork on Friday night has been named! 🟢#FutureIsGreen | @PwCIreland pic.twitter.com/ySpZf5FJ6b
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 8, 2023
Ireland U20s:
Fullback 15. Henry McErlean (UCD/Leinster)
Winger: 14. Ike Anagu (La Rochelle/IQ Rugby)
Centres: 13. Hugh Cooney (Clontarf/Leinster), 12. John Devine (Corinthians/Connacht)
Winger: 11. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians/Connacht)
Out half: 10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster) Scrum half: 9. Fintan Gunne (Terenure/Leinster)
Front row: 1. George Hadden (Clontarf/Leinster), 2. Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster) (captain), 3. Paddy McCarthy (DUFC/Leinster)
Second Row: 4. Diarmuid Mangan (UCD/Leinster) 5. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD/Leinster)
Back row: 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. Fiachna Barrett (Corinthians/Connacht), 19. Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemians/Munster), 20. Jacob Sheahan (UCC/Munster), 21. Oscar Cawley (Naas/Leinster), 22. Harry West (Buccaneers/Connacht), 23. Rory Telfer (Queen’s University/Ulster).
