Ireland U20s ring changes for crucial match with Fiji

Ireland head coach Richie Murphy has rung the changes for Tuesday's final World Rugby U20 Championship pool match against Fiji as they bid to clinch a semi-final spot.

After two physical outings in the space of six days against England and Australia, Murphy changes 11 of the team that started the bonus-point win over the Wallabies.

Flanker Diarmuid Mangan, who crossed for Ireland’s fourth try late on against Australia, has been handed the captaincy with Dan Bannon joining him in the back row for his debut.

There is also a debut for Sam Berman, who linked up with the squad in South Africa this week. He replaces Hugh Gavin at outside centre.

There is a new half-back pairing as Matthew Lynch starts alongside Oscar Cawley, while Connacht’s Harry West is named at full-back.

George Hadden, Danny Sheahan and Fiachna Barrett form a new-look front row, with Evan O’Connell partnering Joe Hopes in the second row.

Murphy has strong options on a replacements bench that includes Sam Prendergast, Henry McErlean and Charlie Irvine.

Tuesday’s game has been switched from Paarl Gymnasium to Danie Craven Stadium (kick-off 12.30pm Irish time).

Ireland U20: Harry West; James Nicholson, Sam Berman, John Devine, Andrew Osborne; Matthew Lynch, Oscar Cawley; George Hadden, Danny Sheahan, Fiachna Barrett; Evan O’Connell, Joe Hopes; Diarmuid Mangan, Dan Barron, Brian Gleeson.

Replacements: Max Clein, George Morris, Ronan Foxe, Charlie Irvine, Gus McCarthy, Jack Oliver, Sam Prendergast, Henry McErlean.