Ireland begin their Under-20 World Championship campaign tonight (kick-off 8pm Irish time) with a challenging opening assignment against hosts France in Perpignan.
Coach Noel McNamara has had to plan without several injured players, though does welcome back captain Caelan Doris back into the fold at number 8.
Centre Peter Silverster and wingers Tom Roche and Dan Hurley will make their respective debuts at Stade Aime-Giral for an Ireland side hoping looking to avenge their 10-point loss in this year’s Six Nations Championship.
France, who also hosted the tournament in 2013, have never done better than third in 10 years of the competition, will be hoping to use home advantage to become the fourth country to win the competition.
Ireland’s best finish was two years ago in Manchester, where they were beaten in the final by England.
Grand Slam winners Jacob Stockdale, Andrew Porter and James Ryan were all part of that side, and speaking ahead of the game, McNamara says he cannot wait for the game to start.
"There has been a great build-up to this game, with positive work done both at home and since we arrived here in France, and everyone is looking forward to getting the tournament underway," he said.
"We know from the Six Nations how vocal and passionate the French fans are and there's no doubt that there will be a fantastic atmosphere in Perpignan. The players have worked hard and they know the task ahead, so for them it's about focusing on their roles and going out there and playing with conviction."
Ireland will play South Africa on Sunday in Narbonne and conclude their pool campaign against Georgia next Thursday, a game which also takes place at Stade d’Honneur.
Ireland team to play France: Michael Silvester (Leinster); Tom Roche (Leinster),Tommy O'Brien (Leinster), Peter Sylvester (Munster); Dan Hurley (Munster), Harry Byrne (Leinster), Hugh O'Sullivan (Leinster); James French (Munster), Diarmuid Barron (Munster), Jack Aungier (Leinster), Matthew Dalton (Ulster), Jack Dunne (Leinster); Joe Dunleavy (Ulster), Matthew Agnew (Ulster), Caelan Doris (Leinster, captain)
Replacements: Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Jordan Duggan (Leinster), Joe Byrne (Leinster), Charlie Ryan (Leinster), Aaron Hall (Ulster), Jonny Stewart (Ulster), Conor Dean (Leinster), Sean O'Brien (Leinster)
