Stuart Olding, who has scored two tries in his past two matches for the Ulster Senior team, will start at fullback for Ireland under-20s against France under-20s in Dubarry Park, Athlone on Friday night (kick off 7.35pm).

He is joined in the backline by Ulster’s Rory Scholes, who will start on the left wing. In the pack, Chris Taylor starts at tighthead prop, John Donnan is named in the second row and Conor Joyce plays blindside.

John Andrew and John Creighton are named on the bench.

Speaking ahead of the clash, coach Mike Ruddock said:

“We have a tough battle on our hands against a strong French team. They have recalled to their squad a number of players with Heineken Cup experience.”

“We need to reproduce the valiant effort we showed against England.”

The Ireland U-20 v France U-20 game will broadcast live on RTE 2 on Friday evening.

Ireland Under-20 Team v France (Dubarry Park, Athlone - Friday, 8th February 2013, kick-off 7.35pm)

15 - Stuart Olding (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
14 - David Panter (Corinthians/Connacht)
13 - Tom Daly (Lansdowne/Leinster)
12 - Rory Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)
11 - Rory Scholes (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
10 - Steve Crosbie (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
9 - Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster)
1 - Peter Dooley (Lansdowne/Leinster)
2 -George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcon/Exile)
3 - Christopher Taylor (Malone/Ulster)
4 - Gavin Thornbury (UCD/Leinster)
5 - John Donnan (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
?6 - Conor Joyce (Malone/Ulster)
7 - Josh Van Der Flier (UCD/Leinster)
8 - Ryan Murphy (Dolphin/Munster)

Replacements:

16 -John Andrew (Ballymena/Ulster)
17 - Ryan Furniss (Worcester/Exile)
18 - Adam Boland (Lansdowne/Leinster)
19 - Sean McCarthy (Shannon/Munster)
20 - Peadar Timmins (UCD/Leinster)
21 - John Creighton (Malone/Ulster)
22 - Mark Roche (Lansdowne/Connacht)
23 - Darragh Leader (Galwegians/Connacht)

Ireland Under-20 RBS 6 Nations Fixtures and results 2013:

Fri 1st Feb 19:10 Wales U20 v Ireland U20 17-15
Fri 8th Feb 19:35 Ireland U20 v England U20 16-15
Fri 22nd Feb 19:30 Scotland U20 v Ireland U20 Netherdale 21-20
Fri 8th Mar 19:45 Ireland U20 v France U20 Dubarry Park
Fri 15th Mar 19:00 Italy U20 v Ireland U20 Stadio del Marsi

Olding to start at fullback for Ireland Under-20s

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