Coach Mike Ruddock has made several changes to the side that beat Fiji 46 points to 3 on Sunday.
Up front, Peter Dooly and George McGuigan return to the front row alongside Ulster forward, Christopher Taylor. John Donnan slots in to the second row alongside Leinster’s Gavin Thornbury. While in the back row Josh Van Der Flier comes in at blindside with Daniel Leavy moving to openside and Conor Joyce moving to No. 8.
There are four changes in the back line which sees the return of Adam Byrne to the wing and Luke McGrath to scrumhalf. Thomas Farrell and Rory Scannell make their return to the opening XV to make up the centre pairing. Ulster wing Rory Scholes retains the 11 jersey and will be looking to add to his three try tally in the tournament so far.
Speaking from the team base Mike Ruddock said:
“This is a big game for both sides; the winner of this will have a guaranteed place in the semi-finals.”
“We have a huge respect for New Zealand rugby and particularly their record at this age grade level, but once the whistle goes on Thursday we will be as competitive as we can be to progress to the next round.”
Ireland Under-20 Team to play New Zealand Under-20, IRB Junior World Championship, Stade de la Rabine, Vannes, Thursday 13th June, kick-off 18.45hrs local time/17.45hrs Irish Time. (Live on TG4)
15 - Darragh Leader (Galwegians/Connacht)
14 - Adam Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
13 - Thomas Farrell (Lansdowne/Leinster)
12 - Rory Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)
11 - Rory Scholes (Belfast Harlequins /Ulster)
10 - Steve Crosbie (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
9 - Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) Captain
1 - Peter Dooley (Lansdowne/Leinster)
2 - George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons/Exile)
3 - Christopher Taylor (Malone/Ulster)
4 - Gavin Thornbury (UCD/Leinster)
5- John Donnan (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
6 - Daniel Leavy (UCD /Leinster)
7 - Josh Van Der Flier (UCD/Leinster)
8 - Conor Joyce (Malone/Ulster)
Replacements:
16 - Edward Byrne (UCD /Leinster)
17 - Bryan Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
18 - Adam Boland (Lansdowne/Connacht)
19 - Peadar Timmins (UCD/Leinster)
20 - Ryan Murphy (Dolphin/Munster)
21 - David Shanahan (Clontarf/Leinster)
22- Mark Roche (Lansdowne/Connacht)
23 - Darren Sweetnam (UCC/Munster)