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Billy Dardis scored the opening try when the sides met two weeks ago. Matteo Ciambelli/INPHO

Five changes for U20s ahead of World Championship finale

Ireland face Scotland in the 7th place playoff

IRELAND U20 HEAD Coach Nigel Carolan has made five changes to his side ahead of tomorrow’s World Championship seventh place playoff against Scotland.

After a comprehensive defeat against Wales on Monday, Carolan’s side will be hoping to end a disappointing tournament on a high note, against a Scotland side they defeated in the pool stages.

Billy Dardis is the only replacement in the back line, returning at full-back in place of Connacht’s Ciaran Gaffney who drops to the bench.

Dardis scored the opening try of the game in Ireland’s 24-20 win against the Scots two weeks ago.

There are two changes in the front row, with Zack McCall in at hooker and Conán O’Donnell replacing Oisin Heffernan at tighthead.

The second row remains unchanged with David O’Conner and Alex Thompson continuing their partnership, while stand-in captain Josh Murphy will be joined by Rory Moloney at flanker, while Ulster’s Lorcan Dow returns at number 8.

Head coach Nigel Carolan says that despite Monday’s disappointing defeat, he’s hopeful his side can end the campaign well in Viadana tomorrow.

“We are expecting another tough challenge ahead of us, Scotland have proved to be a formidable opponent, however, we are confident that we can finish the tournament on a high note,” he said.

Ireland team:

15. Billy Dardis (UCD/Leinster)
14. Stephen Fitzgerald (Shannon/Munster)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)
12. Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
11. Jacob Stockdale (QUB/Ulster)
10. Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster)
9. Charlie Rock (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)
2. Zack McCall (QUB/Ulster)
3. Conán O’Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht)
4. David O’Connor (St.Mary’s/Leinster)
5. Alex Thompson (Queens University/Ulster)
6. Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster)
7. Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/Connacht)
8. Lorcan Dow (QUB/Ulster)

Replacements:
16. Adam McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster)
17. Liam O’Connor (Cork Constitution /Munster)
18. Oisin Heffernan (Terenure/Leinster)
19. Cian Romaine (Buccaneers/Connacht)
20. Nick Timoney (St. Mary’s/Leinster)
21. Jack Cullen (Shannon/ Munster)
22. Fergal Cleary (Lansdowne/Leinster)
23. Ciaran Gaffney (Galwegians/Connacht)

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Neil Treacy
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