Six changes have been made to the Ireland side who beat Scotland 31-7 last Saturday.

Prop Sam Illo is rested after a stellar performance, with Mark Donnelly coming in in his place.

Leinster’s Alex Soroka is moved up to lock as Donncha Byrne gets a starting berth on the blindside.

Two of last week’s standout performers, Oisin McCormack and Captain Alex Kendellen keep their places in the starting XV.

Nathan Doak and Tim Corkery take the nine and 10 jerseys respectfully, replacing Ulster’s Conor McKee and James Humphreys.

The Connacht centre pairing of Cathal Forde and Shane Jennings starts once again while one change is made to the back three.

St. Michael’s College graduate Chris Cosgrave comes into the side to play alongside Jamie Osborne and Ben Moxham.

Illo, McKee and others are available from the bench.

The kick-off is at 8 pm with coverage starting on RTÉ One at 7:30 pm.

Backs

15. Jamie Osborne (Naas CBS/Naas RFC/Leinster)
14. Ben Moxham (Larne High School/Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
13. Shane Jennings (Garbally College/Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
12. Cathal Forde (Colaiste Iognaid/Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
11. Chris Cosgrave (St Michael’s College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
10. Tim Corkery (St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny/UCD RFC/Leinster)
9. Nathan Doak (Wallace High School/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)

Forwards

1. Jack Boyle (St Michael’s College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
2. Ronan Loughnane (Cistercian College Roscrea/UCD RFC/Leinster)
3. Mark Donnelly (CBC Cork/Garryowen RFC/Munster)
4. Alex Soroka (Belvedere College/Clontarf RFC/Leinster)
5. Harry Sheridan (Sullivan Upper School/Dublin University FC/Ulster)
6. Donnacha Byrne (Summerhill College/Sligo RFC/Connacht)
7. Oisin McCormack (Garbally College/Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
8. Alex Kendellen (PBC Cork/UCC RFC/Munster)(Captain)

Replacements

16. Eoin de Buitléar (Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiáran/An Ghaeltacht/Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
17. George Saunderson (Sullivan Upper School/Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
18. Sam Illo (Wesley College/Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
19. Mark Morrissey (Blackrock College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
20. Reuben Crothers (Wallace High School/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
21. Conor McKee (Sullivan Upper School/Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
22. Ben Carson (Wallace High School/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
23. Jude Postlethwaite (RBAI/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
24. Fearghail O’Donoghue (Cashel Community School/Cashel RFC/Munster)
25. Daniel Okeke (Ard Scoil Ris/Shannon RFC/Munster)
26. Conor Rankin (Campbell College Belfast/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster).

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The U20’s face Scotland at 2 pm on Saturday with coverage available on RTÉ One from 1:40 pm.

Forde says that the squad has a great atmosphere in training and that the side is raring to go.

“We are really just looking forward to getting out there and getting competitive rugby under our belts,” said Forde.

The Connacht prospect will don the number 12 shirt later today but game time in the past year has been hard to come by.

Forde only played for the Connacht Eagles a handful of times and some sevens tournaments only compliment that slightly.

However, he will have a familiar face on the touchline to help him through the match on Saturday.

#FutureIsGreen

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Head Coach Richie Murphy has named his Ireland Match Day squad for Saturday's #U20SixNations opener against Scotland in Cardiff

Full details: https://t.co/Uhz1sqspZm#ShoulderToShoulder #IrishRugby #SCOvIRE pic.twitter.com/INxrYitwX6

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 18, 2021

Colm ‘Collie’ Tucker is the forwards coach for the Ireland U20s and is currently involved in the Connacht senior setup after being the academy’s Elite Player Development Officer.

“We would have had him since Under 17s, myself and a few of the other Connacht lads here so it has been good to have a familiar face here with the Connacht coaching staff.

“Obviously he was here last year and had massive experience at this level – it has been brilliant.”

Forde thinks that the experience he had in the U20 squad for last year’s curtailed Six Nations is important.

The experience of training with the Connacht seniors will also pay dividends for the 19-year-old.

Forde highlighted the advice given to him by established figures in the province as one of his biggest takeaways from his time with the seniors.

“Obviously, I got massive experience from the likes of Jack and Bundee, Forde noted.

“They have been fairly helpful to my game – Bundee knows his stuff and he has been great to me.

“I’m always looking for fixes for my game and if he spots them, they’ll call them out to me, give me a few tips.”

The energy in this year’s squad is similar to the Triple Crown winners of last year, according to Forde.

The free-flowing rugby visible last year could be on show again this year and the Connacht academy star is supportive of that.

“It is a case of enjoying our rugby and going out and give a performance.”

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