IRELAND U20s HAVE made five changes to their starting XV as they prepare for the third-place play-off against hosts New Zealand at the Junior World Championship.
Mike Ruddock’s men were beaten by England in Sunday’s semi-final but will target a surprise win over the Baby Blacks on Friday in Eden Park [KO 6.05am Irish time].
Captain Jack O’Donoghue has been ruled out after suffering concussion against the English, meaning flanker Peader Timmins leads the side. Frankie Taggart moves to No. 8 to replace O’Donoghue, with Rory Moloney of Buccaneers coming into the back row.
In the front row, Dylan Donnellan and Oisin Heffernan get their first starts of the tournament alongside loosehead prop Peter Dooley, while Cork Con’s Darragh Moloney starts in the second row in place of Stephen Gardiner.
The only change to the backline sees Harrison Brewer come into the XV at inside centre, with Dan Goggin dropping to the bench. The Terenure man will partner IRB Junior Player of the Year nominee Garry Ringrose in midfield.
Ireland U20s v New Zealand [Friday, KO 6.05am Irish time]:
15 Cian Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)
14 Ciaran Gaffney (Galwegians/Connacht)
13 Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)
12 Harrison Brewer (Terenure/Leinster)
11 Alex Wootton (Garryowen/Munster)
10 Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
9 Nick McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)
1 Peter Dooley (Lansdowne/Leinster)
2 Dylan Donnellan (UCD/Leinster)
3 Oisin Heffernan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
4 Darragh Moloney (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 Ross Molony (UCD/Leinster)
6 Peadar Timmins (UCD/Leinster) (capt.)
7 Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/Connacht)
8 Frank Taggart (Belfast Harlequins/ Ulster)
Replacements
16 Max Abbott (Cork Constitution/Munster)
17 Denis Coulson (Lansdowne/Leinster)
18 Rory Burke (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19 Stephen Gardiner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
20 Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster)
21 Ryan Foley (Lansdowne/Leinster)
22 Conor McKeon (Lansdowne/Leinster)
23 Dan Goggin (Young Munster /Munster)
