Carrick's O'Connell named to start for Ireland in U20 Six Nations clash

Carrick-on-Shannon's Diarmaid O'Connell will start at number eight for the Ireland team who take on France in Saturday’s opening U20s Six Nations clash against France in Perpignan (Kick-off 8pm Irish time).

The former Carrick RFC and Sligo Grammar School star, is one of two Connacht players in the 23 strong match day squad with his Corinthians teammate Daniel Ryan named in the backs on the wing.

The game will be broadcast live on Saturday in the RTE News Channel.

The full team is as follows:

Ireland U20s: 

15. Noah Byrne (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
14. Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
13. Johnny O’Sullivan (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
12. James O’Leary (UCC/Munster)
11. Daniel Ryan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
10. Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/Munster)
9. Christopher Barrett (UCC/Munster)

1. Max Doyle (UCD RFC/Leinster)
2. Rian Handley (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
3. Sami Bishti (UCD RFC/Leinster)(captain)
4. Dylan McNeice (UCD RFC/Leinster)
5. Donnacha McGuire (UCD RFC/Leinster)
6. Josh Neill (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
7. Billy Hayes (Garryowen FC/Munster)
8. Diarmaid O’Connell (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)

Replacements:

16. Duinn Maguire (UCD RFC/Leinster)
17. Christian Foley (Young Munster RFC/Munster)
18. Blake McClean (Instonians RFC/Ulster)
19. Joe Finn (Garryowen FC/Munster)
20. Ben Blaney (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
21. Fergus Callington (Durham University/IQ Rugby)
22. Charlie O’Shea (UCC RFC/Munster)
23. Ethan Black (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster).