Ireland’s starting XV shows just one change to the side that defeated England 35-27 in Cork last week. Cormac Foley, the scorer of the match-winning try in Cork, is promoted from the bench to start at scrum-half, replacing vice-captain Craig Casey who is ruled out through injury.
Up front, props Josh Wycherley and Thomas Clarkson continue alongside Corinthians hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin, who touched down twice and was man-of-the-match in the opening round. Vice-captain Charlie Ryan and Niall Murray resume their second row partnership.
Martin Moloney, the Leinster-capped Scott Penny and number 8 John Hodnett feature again in the back row, while Harry Byrne,the scorer of 15 points last Friday, is joined at half-back by Foley. The rest of the back-line is unchanged with captain David Hawkshaw and Liam Turner paired together at centre, and full-back Jake Flannery combining with wingers Conor Phillips and Jonathan Wren in the back-three.
Shannon prop Luke Masters and Buccaneers’ Colm Reilly, who provides back-up for Foley at scrum half, have been added to the replacements and both will be looking to win their first Ireland Under-20 caps at the home ground of Gala RFC.
