THEIR 11-POINT DEFEAT to Wales in Donnybrook last weekend was a wake up-call for Ireland’s U20s, in what was the first outing at that level for most of the squad.

It doesn’t get any easier for Nigel Carolan’s side, as they plan for matches in France and England, starting tonight in Narbonne (kick-off at 8.05pm, live on RTÉ2).

The statistics don’t make for pleasant reading either. The U20s have won just once in France, in 2012; Ireland have won just one away game in the competition since beating Italy in 2012; and France haven’t lost at home since going down to Wales in 2013.

The powerful French looked impressed in their first outing of the campaign last weekend, swatting the Italians aside 40-3.

But a large chunk of this Ireland U20 side went to France last year, for two U19 games, where they shared the spoils; winning one and losing one.

And forwards coach Peter Malone insists that will give the youngsters a lift before they tackle the partisan Narbonne atmosphere tonight.

“We played them twice in four days (at U19 level) and it’s probably a good experience because we beat them in the first game.

“But probably a truer reflection of the French team came out the second day; they were beaten on their home turf and there were tears during the anthems.

We met a passionate French team in full flow four days later. Our energy was a bit low but it was a good experience for the guys.

But Malone has warned that tonight will be a whole new ball game; the Narbonne natives will embrace the city’s first U20 game with their arms open and fire in their bellies.

“It is a massive test. Under-20 rugby is very close to professional rugby. It is above AIL and B&I (Cup) and below Pro12 level.

“It is going to be a complete step up. We were in Marcoussis (for the U19 games) and there were about 200 people at the games.

“We will be in Narbonne on Friday night with probably the whole town out (to support).”

After analysing a mixed opening outing against Wales, Malone is confident there are no drastic adjustments required this week; just improving their basic skills and decision-making.

“The pressure of the occasion meant that we didn’t do the simple things well. We gave Wales the opportunity to build phases.

“Twice we turned over Wales in our own 22 and we either gave them an intercept back or kicked the ball back to their winger. That just allowed them to build pressure.

“I think our set-piece needed to be a bit more accurate because every lineout you lose gives them a ball to build momentum and phases.

“We also had a lot of unforced errors around handling, which built pressure on us. We need to knock those simple errors out of our game.”

Ireland centre Jimmy O'Brien. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Ireland centre Jimmy O’Brien admitted it had been a tough week of video analysis and a big learning curve for a lot of the squad, as only three players, all front-rowers, had played at that level before.

“Looking back it was horrible; you see the little mistakes. We could have won and you see the chances you had to win.

“A lot of us are very new to this level but we’ve realised that mistakes are so costly.”

O’Brien was also in Marcoussis with the U19s last year, so he knows what to expect from the French.

“They’ll have a big, physical pack, probably play around with their nine, the nine is usually their footballer and they’ll have pace out wide. Hopefully they throw in a bit of French flair, that would be good to play against.

“But we don’t see it as an impossible task, obviously we think we can win. We won there last year.”

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

One man who will relish the physical battle is Ireland prop — there is nothing pint-sized about this Porter, 119kg loosehead Andrew.

With a back squat PB of 280kg, his legs pack plenty of power. But he knows tonight’s scrum battle will also require guile and discipline. As one of the more experienced squad members, he knows an early win in the set-piece can rattle the French on their own turf.

“Last weekend against Wales we gave away two easy penalties so we’ve been working on it (scrum) a good bit this week.

“We have been reviewing the French scrum. We had a look at them against Italy. They used it it well and as part of their attack plays.

“But we were evenly matched (in the U19s game) last year.”

Ireland U20

15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)
14. Matthew Byrne (Terenure College/Leinster)
13. Shane Daly (Cork Constitution/Munster)
12. Jimmy O’Brien (UCD/Leinster)
11. Conor O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
10. Johnny McPhillips (Queen’s University/Ulster)
9. John Poland (Cork Constitution/Munster)

1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)
2. Adam McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster)
3. Conor Kenny (Buccaneers/Connacht)
4. Peter Claffey (Galwegians/Connacht)
5. James Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster) (capt)
6. Cillian Gallagher (Sligo/Connacht)
7. Dan Walsh (Cork Constitution/Munster)
8. Max Deegan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Replacements:
16. Shane Fenton (Young Munster/Munster)
17. James Bollard (Dublin University/Leinster)
18. Conan O’Donnell (Sligo/Connacht)
19. Sean O’Connor (Cashel/Munster)
20. Kelvin Brown (Shannon/Munster)
21. Stephen Kerins (Sligo/Connacht)
22. Brett Connon (Newcastle Falcons/Exiles)
23. Terry Kennedy (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)