Ireland Under-20 team is named

Ireland Under-20 coach Allen Clarke has made changes to his starting XV for their penultimate championship fixture against Wales on Friday night.

Recent Connacht debutant Tiernan O'Halloran makes his first start of the season on the wing.

There is also a new look to the front row as Jack O'Connell moves from tighthead to loosehead with Stewart Maguire moving up from the replacements for his first start.

There are three new faces on the bench with Leinster's Risteard Byrne and Munster duo Bryan Cagney and Gareth Quinn McDonogh coming into the 22 for the first time.

Speaking of his selection and of the task at hand, Clarke said: 'Whilst the decision to alternate the squad was given much consideration, the changes reflect the quality of the player group.

'Stewart Maguire has been impressive when he has been launched from the bench and Tiernan O'Halloran has returned to the fine form he was displaying prior to sustaining an injury in a warm up match in December.

'Gareth's inclusion in the replacements is reward for his performances in the AIB League with Shannon as is that of Risteard Byrne with UCD.'

'Planning and preparation has gone well. There is an appetite within the squad to continually develop as individuals and as a team. The attention to detail and focus to improve reflect the respect we have for Wales and the squad ambition to build on our performances in the championship.'

Ireland U20 team to play Wales in the Under-20 Six Nations in Dubarry Park, Friday at 7.45pm:

15 Andrew Conway, 14 Darren Hudson, 13 Brendan Macken, 12 Nevin Spence, 11 Tiernan O'Halloran, 10 James McKinney, 9 John Cooney, 1 Jack O'Connell, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Stewart Maguire, 4 David O'Callaghan, 5 Ben Marshall, 6 Rhys Ruddock (capt), 7 Dominic Ryan, 8 Patrick Butler.

Replacements: 16 Risteard Byrne, 17 Bryan Cagney, 18 Brian Hayes, 19 Robin O'Sullivan, 20 Michael Heaney, 21 Gareth Quinn McDonogh, 22 Eoin Griffin.