Preview: Scotland U20s vs Ireland U20s

Glasgow is the next stop on Ireland’s campaign for back-to-back Under-20s Six Nations Grand Slams, as they prepare to face Scotland in Round 4.

The defending champions have been excellent in the Championship so far, scoring 121 points and 14 tries from three matches.

They sit one point behind England in the table and a Super Sunday Grand Slam showdown is on the cards if both teams can emerge from Round 4 with the W.

Scotland cannot be taken lightly, as they proved in Round 1 when they came oh so close to causing a giant upset against England.

They eventually lost 41-36 in an all-time Under-20s classic and then went and beat Wales in Round 2 with a much sturdier defensive display.

Rampant France were much too strong in Round 3, but they have had two weeks to analyse the tape and will be hopeful of securing their first win against Ireland at this level since 2015.

TEAM NEWS

Scotland head coach Kenny Murray has made four changes to his starting side.

The first change for the young team sees Harris McLeod make his comeback after injury to partner another ever-present, Jake Parkinson.

Luke Townsend gets the nod at fly-half and replaces Richie Simpson, who is unavailable due to injury sustained against France.

A full change on the wings this Friday sees Geordie Gwynn and Logan Jarvie earn their first start of the campaign – Dan King retains his full-back jersey once again to complete the starting fifteen.

Ireland's starting XV shows three changes from the win over Italy in Treviso in Round 3, with Fiachna Barrett and Evan O'Connell coming into the pack for their first starts of the Championship, and Andrew Osborne named on the wing for his U20s debut.

Henry McErlean, Osborne and Hugh Gavin make up the back three, with John Devine and Hugh Cooney retained in midfield. Sam Prendergast, Player of the Match in the wins over France and Italy, is named to start at fly-half, with Fintan Gunne, a try-scorer in Round 3, continuing at scrum-half.

Connacht prop Barrett comes into the front row alongside George Hadden and captain Gus McCarthy, with Munster's O'Connell joining the ever-present Conor O’Tighearnaigh in the second row. The back row of James McNabney, Ruadhán Quinn and Brian Gleeson remains unchanged.

Scotland Under-20s team to face Ireland Under-20s: 15. Dan King, 14. Logan Jarvie, 13. Duncan Munn (co-captain), 12. Kerr Yule, 11. Geordie Gwynn, 10. Luke Townsend, 9. Finlay Burgess, 1. Craig Davidson, 2. Corey Tait, 3. Moby Ogunlaja, 4. Jake Parkinson, 5. Harris McLeod, 6. Liam McConnell (co-captain), 7. Rudi Brown, 8. Jonny Morris

Replacements:  16. Elliot Young, 17. Max Surry, 18. Robbie Deans, 19. Ruaraidh Hart, 20. Sam Derrick, 21. Charlie Clare, 22. Ben Salmon, 23. Andy McLean

Ireland Under-20s team to play Scotland Under-20s: 15. Henry McErlean, 14. Andrew Osborne, 13. Hugh Cooney, 12. John Devine, 11. Hugh Gavin, 10. Sam Prendergast, 9. Fintan Gunne, 1. George Hadden, 2. Gus McCarthy (captain), 3. Fiachna Barrett, 4. Evan O'Connell, 5. Conor O’Tighearnaigh, 6. James McNabney, 7. Ruadhán Quinn, 8. Brian Gleeson

Replacements: 16. Danny Sheahan, 17. George Morris, 18. Paddy McCarthy, 19. Diarmuid Mangan, 20. Liam Molony, 21. Oscar Cawley, 22. Matthew Lynch, 23. Rory Telfer