Ruddock makes changes to U20 line-up
Rugby: The Ireland Under-20, Club and Women’s teams to take on their respective English opponents on Friday were all named today.

Ireland Under-20 coach Mike Ruddock has made a number of changes from the side that drew against Wales last time out.

Tiernan O’Halloran returns to the starting XV alongside Michael Sherlock and Andrew Boyle at Dubarry Park in Athlone (kick-off 7.45pm).

In the centre JJ Hanrahan starts in place of Luke Marshall while Cathal Marsh comes in at outhalf for Paddy Jackson. Jackson, Marshall and Craig Gilroy have been called up the Ulster squad.

Up front David Doyle comes in at hooker for injured captain Niall Annett. He will pack down between James Tracy and Martin Moore. Jordi Murphy will captain the team in the absence of Annett.

The Club side to play an England Counties side at Old Belvedere’s Anglesea Road will be captained by Frank Cogan.

Cork Constitution's Gerry Hurley will start at scrumhalf with Matt D'Arcy of St. Mary's College named on the bench. Hurley will partner Dolphin's Barry Keeshan in the half backs, while Evan Ryan and Eric Moloney start in the centre roles.

John O'Brien, John Cleary and David Mongan again comprise an attacking back three.

Up front coach David O'Mahony has retained the same pack that helped power the Club side to victory over the Scottish Clubs last weekend to win the Dalriada Cup.

The backrow of Hugh Hogan, Barry O'Mahony and Cogan may again prove influential as Ireland face a strong England Counties side. Kick-off is 5.30pm

Ireland Women's coach Philip Doyle has made four changes to his starting line-up for their final Six Nations game against England at Ashbourne RFC in Meath on Friday (kick-off 7.30pm).

Ailis Egan makes her first start of the season coming in at prop with Lauren Day reverting to the bench. Laura Guest moves to the backrow with Heather O’Brien starting alongside Marie Louise Reilly in the secondrow.

Larissa Muldoon makes her first start having impressed off the bench in recent outings.

Ireland Under-20 team: Michael Sherlock (Clontarf/Leinster), Tiernan O'Halloran (Galwegians/Connacht), Alex Kelly (UCD/Leinster), JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster), Andrew Boyle (UCD/Leinster), Cathal Marsh (Dublin University/Leinster), Blane McIlroy (Ballymena/Ulster), James Tracy (UCD/Leinster), David Doyle (UCD/Leinster), Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster), Michael Kearney (Clontarf/Leinster), Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers/Connacht), Shane Buckley (Garryowen/Munster), Aaron Conneely (Corinthians/Connacht), Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster) (capt). Replacements: James Rael (Garryowen/Munster), Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster), Cathal O'Flaherty (Cork Constitution/Munster), Stephen Lecky (Glasgow Hawks/Exiles), Mark Dolan (Corinthians/Connacht), Gareth Quinn McDonogh (Shannon/Munster), Colm O’Shea (Clontarf/Leinster)

This article was posted on 16-Mar-2011, 18:02 by Hugh Barrow.