Ireland U20 unchanged for trip to Italy

Ireland head coach Richie Murphy has named an unchanged side for Friday night's U20 Six Nations meeting with Italy in Treviso (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).

It's an identical starting XV with Henry McErlean retaining his place at full-back, having come in for Ike Anagu after the opening win against Wales at Colwyn Bay.

Leinster's James Nicholson and Connacht's Hugh Gavin continue on the wings, with John Devine and Hugh Cooney once again in the centre.

Sam Prendergast, who kicked the winning points in the Round 2 victory against France, once again starts at out-half, playing alongside Fintan Gunne in the half-backs.

For the third game in a row, Murphy has gone with the same pack of forwards, led by captain Gus McCarthy at hooker, in between props Paddy McCarthy and George Hadden.

It's an all-UCD second row of Diarmuid Mangan and Conor O'Tighearnaigh, while Munster pair Ruadhán Quinn and Brien Gleeson are joined by Ulster's James McNabney in the back row.

The defending champions trail England by one point heading into Round 3, having won 18 of their last 20 Six Nations games at the underage grade.

Ireland: Henry McErlean; James Nicholson, Hugh Cooney, John Devine, Hugh Gavin; Sam Prendergast, Fintan Gunne; George Hadden, Gus McCarthy (capt), Paddy McCarthy; Diarmuid Mangan, Conor O'Tighearnaigh; James McNabney, Ruadhán Quinn, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements: Danny Sheahan, George Morris, Fiachna Barrett, Evan O'Connell, Jacob Sheahan, Oscar Cawley, Harry West, Rory Telfer.

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