The Ireland Under-20 team (sponsored by PwC) to play Scotland in Inverness on Friday evening has been selected.

Coach Mike Ruddock names a number of changes to his side that played against France a fortnight ago.

Martin Moore comes back in to the front line to partner James Tracy and Niall Annett with Michael Kearney returning to the second row to partner Daniel Qualter.

Shane Buckley has been promoted from the bench along with centre JJ Hanarahan, who both make their first start of the series.

There are five new faces included in the replacements, Tadhg Furlong, Cathal O’Flaherty, Mark Dolan and Colm O’Shea. Gareth Quinn McDonogh makes a return to the Under-20 setup, having been involved last year.

Speaking of his selection, Ruddock said, “We are looking forward to travelling to Inverness and to playing Scotland.”

“We have a panel determined to do better. We felt we have not been as effective in our defense as we would have hoped and have asked players to look at that and for a positive reaction. If we can achieve that we will see an improvement.”

Ireland Under – 20 v Scotland Under -20 (Friday 25th February, Kick-off 19:30. Tulloch Stadium, Inverness)
15 -Michael Sherlock (Clontarf – Leinster)
14 -Tiernan O’Halloran (Galwegians – Connacht)
13 – Alex Kelly (UCD – Leinster)
12 – JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemian – Munster)
11 – Andrew Boyle (UCD – Leinster)
10 – Patrick Jackson (Dungannon – Ulster)
9 – Blane McIlroy (Ballymena – Ulster)
1 – James Tracy (UCD – Leinster)
2 – Niall Annett (Belfast Harlequins – Ulster) (Captain)
3 – Martin Moore (Lansdowne – Leinster)
4 – Michael Kearney (Clontarf – Leinster)
5 – Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers – Connacht)
6 – Shane Buckley (Garryowen – Munster)
7 – Aaron Conneely (Corinthians – Connacht)
8 – Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne – Leinster)

Replacements
16 – David Doyle (UCD – Leinster)
17 – Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf – Leinster)
18 – Iain Henderson (Queens – Ulster)
19 – Cathal O’Flaherty (Cork Constitution – Munster)
20 – Mark Dolan (Corinthians – Connacht)
21 – Gareth Quinn McDonogh (Shannon – Munster)
22 – Colm O’Shea (Old Belvedere – Leinster)

Ireland Under-20 RBS 6 Nations Fixtures –
Fri 25th Feb 19:30 Scotland U20 v Ireland U20 Tulloch Stadium, Inverness
Fri 11th Mar 19:10 Wales U20 v Ireland U20 Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
Fri 18th Mar 19:45 Ireland U20 v England U20 Dubarry Park, Athlone