Clarke opts for same 15

IRELAND COACH Allen Clarke has named an unchanged team from that which defeated Italy 39-0 for tomorrow night’s under- 20 international…

IRELAND COACH Allen Clarke has named an unchanged team from that which defeated Italy 39-0 for tomorrow night’s under- 20 international against France at Stade de la Chevaliere, Mazamet (7.45pm, Irish time, live on RTÉ).

The French drew 8-8 with Scotland in their opening encounter, but will present a much tougher challenge for a talented Irish side.

The Irish women’s team travel to Stade des Allées, Blois tomorrow night (6pm, Irish time) hoping to build on last weekend’s win 22-5 over Italy in Ashbourne.

Ireland: Andrew Conway (Blackrock Col); Darren Hudson (St Mary’s), Brendan Macken (Blackrock), Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch), Simon Zebo (Cork Con); James McKinney (QUB), John Cooney (UCD); Bryan Cagney (UCC), Niall Annett (Belfast Harl), Jack O’Connell (Lansdowne); David O’Callaghan (UCC), Ben Marshall (UCD); Rhys Ruddock (UCD), Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne), Patrick Butler (Shannon). Replacements: David Doyle (UCD), Stewart Maguire (Old Bel), Brian Hayes (Cork Con), Robin O’Sullivan (Bective), Michael Heaney (Belfast Harl), Brian Kingston (Blackrock), Eoin Griffin (Corinthians).

IRELAND WOMEN: Niamh Briggs (Clonmel); Amy Davis (Blackrock), Grace Davitt (Blackrock), Shannon Houston (Blackrock), Alison Miller (Portlaoise); Joanne O’Sullivan (Richmond), Tania Rosser (Blackrock); Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohs), Gillian Bourke (UL Bohs), Emer McManamly (Blackrock); Caroline Mahon (UL Bohs), Marie Louise Reilly (Navan); Orla Brennan (Blackrock), Sinead Ryan (Navan), Joy Neville (UL Bohs). Replacements: Chris Fanning (Highfield), Lauren Day (Cooke), Kate O’Loughlin (Clonmel), Claire Molloy (Bristol), Louise Beamish (UL Bohs), Helen Brosnan (Highfield), Nora Stapleton (Old Bel).

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John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer