Gaffney returns for Ireland U20

 

Ciaran Gaffney is named on the right wing having recovered from an ankle injury he picked up before the first game. He joins Stephen Fitzgerald and Billy Dardis in the back three.

 

The rest of the backline is unchanged with Garry Ringrose and Sam Arnold continuing in the centre and captain Nick McCarthy and Joey Carbery, the scorer of five penalties against Argentina, combine again at halfback.

 

There are two alterations to the front row where UCD and Leinster duo Andrew Porter and Sean McNulty make their first starts at U20 level, packing down alongside tighthead Oisin Heffernan.

 

David O'Connor and Alex Thompson link up once more in the second row, while flank Conor Oliver, a new member of the Munster Academy for 2015/16, comes into the loose forwards alongside Josh Murphy and No.8 Lorcan Dow.

 

Speaking ahead of Saturday's encounter with Scotland, who lost 10-68 to New Zealand in their pool opener, Carolan said: "We had a shaky start to the tournament but it's good to have the win under our belt.

 

"We narrowly lost to Scotland during the Six Nations this year so we are aware of the challenge ahead of us. We know we have a tough battle on our hands, but that's what we have prepared for. 

 

"We are all looking forward to the game and hopefully we can perform to our potential."

 

Ireland: 15 Billy Dardis, 14 Ciaran Gaffney, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Sam Arnold, 11 Stephen Fitzgerald, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Nick McCarthy (captain), 8 Lorcan Dow, 7 Conor Oliver, 6 Josh Murphy, 5 Alex Thompson, 4 David O’Connor, 3 Oisin Heffernan, 2 Sean McNulty, 1 Andrew Porter.

Replacements: 16 Zack McCall, 17 Liam O'Connor, 18 Conan O’Donnell, 19 Jack Dwan, 20 Nick Timoney, 21 Charlie Rock, 22 Tomas Quinlan, 23 Jacob Stockdale.

 

Date: Saturday, June 6

Venue: Stadio San Michele, Calvisano

Kick-off: 16.30 (14.30 GMT)

Referee: Will Houston (Australia)

Assistant referees: Stefano Pennè (Italy), Filippo Bertelli (Italy)