Ireland Under-20s head coach Andrew Browne has named his team for Saturday's opening Six Nations clash against France in Perpignan (8pm Irish time, live on the RTÉ News Channel and RTÉ Player).
UCD's Sami Bishti captains the side at Stade Aime Giral. Noah Byrne, Derry Moloney and Daniel Ryan start in the Ireland back three, with James O'Leary partnering Johnny O'Sullivan in midfield and Christopher Barrett and Tom Wood in the half-backs.
In the pack, Max Doyle, Rian Handley and Bishti are in the front row, while Dylan McNeice and Donnacha McGuire are named in the engine room. Josh Neill is selected at blindside flanker, Billy Hayes at openside and Diarmaid O'Connell packs down at number eight.
On the bench, Duinn McGuire, Christian Foley, Blake McClean, Joe Finn and Ben Blaney provide the forward replacements, with backs Fergus Callington, Charlie O'Shea and Ethan Black completing the squad.
Ireland U20s (v France): Noah Byrne (Dublin University FC/Leinster), Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), Johnny O'Sullivan (Dublin University FC/Leinster), James O'Leary (UCC/Munster), Daniel Ryan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/Munster), Christopher Barrett (UCC/Munster); Max Doyle (UCD RFC/Leinster), Rian Handley (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Sami Bishti (UCD RFC/Leinster), Dylan McNeice (UCD RFC/Leinster), Donnacha McGuire (UCD RFC/Leinster), Josh Neill (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Billy Hayes (Garryowen FC/Munster), Diarmaid O’Connell (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
Replacements: Duinn Maguire (UCD RFC/Leinster), Christian Foley (Young Munster RFC/Munster), Blake McClean (Instonians RFC/Ulster), Joe Finn (Garryowen FC/Munster), Ben Blaney (Terenure College RFC/Leinster), Fergus Callington (Durham University/IQ Rugby), Charlie O’Shea (UCC RFC/Munster), Ethan Black (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
Watch France v Ireland in the Under-20 Six Nations on Saturday from 7.50pm on the RTÉ News Channel and RTÉ Player
