Declan Fitzpatrick and Mike Sherry are included up front while Simon Zebo is named in the backs as is Darren Cave, who won two caps on the North American tour in 2009.

There are a number of spaces left vacant with a further prop, second row, back row and scrum half to be added before the squad departs for New Zealand.

Brian O’Driscoll returns to the Ireland squad for the first time since the Rugby World Cup and has been confirmed as Captain for the tour.

Ireland Squad

(New Zealand Tour 2012, June 9th, 16th and 23rd):

Forwards (16):

Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon /Ulster)*
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)
Sean O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)*
Dan Tuohy (Ballymena /Ulster)
A.N. Other
A.N. Other
A.N. Other

Backs (13):

Darren Cave ( Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster)
Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)*
A.N. Other

*Denotes Uncapped Player

Tournament organisers, ERC, announced today (14 May, 2012) that the RDS will be the venue for the Amlin Challenge Cup final on Friday, 17 May, 2013 with the Heineken Cup showpiece going ahead the following day at the Aviva Stadium.

Research following the Cardiff 2011 finals showed that the economic impact to the Welsh capital from the 83,000 fans who attended the games amounted to €30 million (euro).

Speaking at the event today Leo Varadkar, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport said: “I am delighted to be here today and I’m really looking forward to Dublin being transformed into the European Capital of Rugby next year.  Only last week we officially launched the Gathering Ireland 2013, which encourages everyone with an Irish connection to return home next year.  I believe next year’s Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup Final will provide a real festival feel during The Gathering, and will be a great addition to our events calendar for The Gathering for next year.”

The research also demonstrated that over 84% of fans who attended the finals were from outside Wales with 61% staying at least one night in the host city, while those who attended both finals stayed even longer.

With both 2013 finals being played in close proximity, up to 70,000 supporters will have the opportunity to visit the city and savour what has become an unmissable weekend festival of European club rugby.

Starting with the Amlin Challenge Cup decider, taking in the European Champions Village, and climaxing with the final of the Heineken Cup which is widely regarded as the world’s most competitive club rugby tournament, Dublin will offer fans a special sporting experience in the space of a weekend.

2013 will be the third occasion that the Heineken Cup final has been staged in Dublin, and with Leinster Rugby and Ulster Rugby meeting in Saturday’s historic showdown at Twickenham Stadium, there is certain to be an Irish name on the trophy when the final returns to the capital in 12 months.

Next year will be the first time that Dublin has hosted the Amlin Challenge Cup final. The tournament which features clubs from up to eight European countries could see an Irish involvement in the knockout stages as every season three Heineken Cup clubs qualify for the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

“The decision of the ERC Board to stage both the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup finals in Dublin reflects the hugely positive impact Irish clubs and fans have had on European club rugby,” said ERC Chief Executive, Derek McGrath.

“ERC has already begun working with Fáilte Ireland, the IRFU and our local partners to ensure that the ten thousands of supports who will visit the city will enjoy a hugely positive experience of everything Dublin has to offer.”

ERC, with the support of Fáilte Ireland, has further incentivised loyal fans of European club rugby by offering a special value ‘Dublin 2013 Golden Ticket’ package for next year’s finals weekend which includes admission to both the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup finals as well as a one-day Dublin Pass which gives the user free access to over 30 tourist attractions in the capital.

Speaking at the event Keith McCormack, Head of Events at Fáilte Ireland, said: “As the national tourism authority we are delighted to be working with ERC to ensure that Dublin takes full advantage of this promotional opportunity and we will be doing everything we can to encourage more people to not only come for the rugby but to spend a few days discovering all that the city has to offer.”

A total of 5,000 of the tickets, which are on offer at €75 (Category 2 seats) and €99 (Category 1 seats), will be available to previous Heineken Cup final early purchases this afternoon.

The public allocation for both 2013 finals will go on sale on Monday, 21 May at 12.00 noon with full details on www.ercrugby.com

By MARTYN WINTERS. Ireland forwards coach, Gert Smal has been passed fully fit by his medical team following  his departure from the Irish coaching team in the middle of the 6 nations because of sight problems brought on by a pre-existing eye condition.

His illness caused him to leave the coaching team to be replaced by Munster assistant coach Anthony Foley, but now the former Western Transvaal flanker is back at work and has been attending games since early April.

South African, Smal commented: "I’m looking forward to getting back to working with the players again and it was great to meet up with them last week at our squad get together for the first time since I had to take time off.

"It was a worrying time for my family when I was getting these symptoms affecting my eyesight, but it was clear that I was not going to be able to fully function and deliver the guidance the players needed. We needed to get to the bottom of what was going on and was advised to take some rest, so it is at times like these that you reluctantly have to listen to the advice.

“Anthony Foley did a superb job when he stepped in at such short notice as did Paul (O’Connell) and also Rory (Best) and Donnacha Ryan to give that little bit of leadership along with the other forwards. I’m feeling really good and fit at the moment and really excited about stepping back onto the training field, which is where you want to be as a coach, and looking forward to the tour to New Zealand.

"It is one of the toughest places on earth to tour, so we have to be well prepared, but the opportunity to play the World Champions three times in a row does not come along very often and is something that I think everybody is excited about."

The Ireland Forwards Coach was a noted flanker with Western Transvaal (1980-1983), Stellenbosch University (1984-1985), captained SA Gazelles (1984), SA Defence Force (1986-1987), Western Province (1984-1993) and the Junior Springboks (1986). He turned out for the Springboks against the touring New Zealand Cavaliers in 1986, against a World Invitation XV in 1989 and a Serge Blanco World XV team against France.

Between 1986 and 1990 he was a member of the Rovigo club in Italy, as player-assistant coach, following which he was appointed to a number of key coaching positions in South Africa. He held head coach positions at the Border Bulldogs (1998-1999), Western Province (2000-2002) when they twice won the Currie Cup and then with the Stormers in the Super 12 between 2003 and 2005, reaching the semi-finals in 2004.

In 2004, Smal was appointed to the South African team management as assistant coach to Jake White, during which the Springboks won the Tri-Nations championship in 2004 before being crowned Rugby World Cup champions in France last year.

The core of the squad featured in the recent under-20 Six Nations Championship which saw Ireland lose out to England in a Grand Slam decider in March.

Seven of the squad featured in the 2011 Junior World Championship. Flankers Shane Buckley and Aaron Conneely, second row Iain Henderson and prop Tadhg Furlong will add experience up front.

In the back line, Ruddock can call upon the experience of Paddy Jackson, who recently starred in Ulster’s Heineken Cup Semi Final win, JJ Hanrahan and scrum-half Kieran Marmion who all featured in 2011.

Ireland under-20 Head Coach Mike Ruddock said, “We are coming into the IRB Junior World Championship on the back of a relatively successful Six Nations having won four out of five of our matches. This gives us some confidence going into the tournament.   However, we are in an extremely physical group. We have hosts South Africa up first, followed by the 6 Nations champions England and then the ever improving Italians.   It will require a massive effort from our part to overcome such physical size and power but we intend to give it our best shot.”

*Details of a media opportunity with Head Coach Mike Ruddock and selected players in advance of their departure to the tournament will be announced shortly.

Ireland U-20 Squad (IRB Junior World Championship, South Africa 2012)

Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne /Leinster)

Shane Buckley (Garryowen/Munster)*

Jake Cawley (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Jordon Coghlan (UCD/Leinster)

Sam Coghlan Murray (UCD/Leinster)

Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Aaron Conneely (Corinthians/Connacht)*

Barry Daly (UCD/Leinster)

Chris Farrell (Dungannon/Ulster)

Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)*

Conor Gilsenan (UCD/Mullingar /Leinster)

J.J. Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster)*

Iain Henderson (Queens University /Ulster)*

Foster Horan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)*

Shane Layden (Buccaneers /Connacht)

Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)*

Cathal Marsh (Trinity College /Leinster)

Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster)

Des Merry (Clontarf/Leinster)

Peter Nelson (Dungannon/Ulster)

Alan O’Connor (UCD/Leinster)

Stuart Olding (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

James Rael (Garryowen/Munster)

Peter Reilly (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Niall Scannell (Dolphin RFC/Munster)

Mikey Sherlock (Clontarf/Leinster)

Josh Van Der Flier (UCD/Leinster)

*Featured in 2011 Junior World Championship

IRFB Junior World Championship Fixtures:

Pool B (all times are local)

4th June, England v Italy, K.O. 16:45 (University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town)

4th June, South Africa v Ireland, K.O. 18:45 (Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch)

8th June, South Africa v Italy, K.O. 18:45 (University of Western Cape Stadium, Cape Town)

8th June, England v Ireland, K.O. 18:45 (Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch)

12th June, Ireland v Italy, K.O.14:45 (Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch)

12th June, South Africa v England, K.O. 18:45 (Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch)

D’Arcy has had a glittering career for both province and country, winning his first piece of silverware with Leinster in 2001 as part of the side that won the Celtic League. He made his debut for Leinster in 1998 and has gone on to make over 200 appearances for his home province. 

He made his debut for Ireland as a 19 year old in the Rugby World Cup in 1999, playing on the wing against Romania.  He moved successfully to the centre for Ireland and Leinster in 2004, winning a triple crown with Ireland and it was a move which saw his representative career for Ireland accelerate to the point where he has become the second most capped centre in Irish history, behind his long-time playing partner Brian O’Driscoll.

He represented Ireland in a further two Rugby World Cups, in 2007 and the recent tournament in New Zealand and was an integral part of the Ireland team that won the RBS Six Nations Championship and Grand Slam in 2009.  That same year he won his first Heineken Cup with Leinster and was part of the side that again won the trophy in 2011.

He has also represented the British & Irish Lions on two tours, to New Zealand in 2005 and to South Africa in 2009.

Commenting on the announcement, IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said: “Gordon is a wonderful servant for both Ireland and Leinster and this is proof of his undoubted talent that was identified at a very early age. I am delighted that he has committed himself to playing in Ireland and is another indicator of the successful policy of keeping as many of our top players here so that they can continue to contribute to the success of both Ireland and the provincial teams.

Leinster Coach Joe Schmidt added: "Gordon is a born and bred Leinster man and since his debut in 1998 he has been a highly consistent performer for Leinster. His competitiveness and ability have had added huge value both on and off the field.  We’re delighted that Gordon will be extending his long association with his home province and I am confident that he will continue to make a positive impression both on and off the field."

Career Details

Gordon D’Arcy
Born: 10th February 1980

Ireland Career

Debut: V Romania 15/10/1999
Caps: 68
Points: 35 (7 Tries)

Leinster Career

Debut: V Llanelli 19/09/1998
Caps: 203
Points: 299 (53 tries, 2 conversions, 4 drop goals, 6 penalties)

British & Irish Lions

Debut: V Argentina 23/05/2005
Appearances: 10

The Ireland Team will play two full internationals in the Aviva Stadium against South Africa and Argentina, who will both be battle hardened following their participation in the newly established southern hemisphere Rugby Championship, the new format of the Tri Nations.

South Africa was the first international visitor to the newly built Aviva Stadium in November 2010, winning 23-21 and will again open the international rugby season when they travel to the northern hemisphere under the guidance of their new Coach Heyneke Meyer.  Ireland also last took on Argentina that same November in sub zero temperatures, with Ireland winning the game 29-9.

In between these two full internationals, the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds will play Fiji in Thomond Park Stadium, bringing an Irish team to Limerick for the first time since Ireland played Canada in 2008.

Broadcast and ticketing details for all three games will be announced in the coming weeks.

2012 Guinness Series Fixtures:

Ireland v South Africa

Aviva Stadium
Saturday, 10th November
Kick off 17:30

O2 Ireland Wolfhounds v Fiji

Thomond Park Stadium
Saturday, 17th November
Kick off 17:30

Ireland v Argentina

Aviva Stadium
Saturday 24th November
Kick off 14:00

Both sides played a similar double header in Dublin before Easter against strong French selections and were just beaten in tight encounters.

The under-18 club side lost 19-13 despite outscoring their counterparts two tries to one.  There have been changes to the starting team from that game, with out half Fergal Cleary swapping places with centre Sean O’Hagan in a new look midfield.  In the forwards Scott Flanagan starts at hooker in place of Paul O’Donnell who is injured, with Shane Byrne coming into the replacements as back up.

The under-19 team streaked into a 15-0 lead in their last outing against France under-19, but lost narrowly 24-15 in the end after a late French rally in the second half.  There are also two changes to the starting team from that game, with Robbie Henshaw starting at outside centre in place of Tom Farrell, a try scorer against France under-19.  In the forwards, Christopher Taylor starts at tight head prop, with James Dever moving to the replacements.

Ireland Under-18 Clubs v England Under-18 Clubs and Schools (Saturday 14th April, Old Merchant Taylors RFC Middlesex – Kick-off 12.00)

15 – Rueben Pepper-Hobbs (Westport/Connacht)

14 – Adrian Enright (Abbeyfeale/Munster)

13 – Adam Byrne (Naas/Leinster)

12 – Fergal Cleary (Navan/Leinster)

11 – Seamus Keating (Dungarvan/Munster)

10 – Sean O’Hagan (London Irish/St Benedicts/Exiles)

9 – Killian O’Keeffe (Crosshaven/Munster)

1 – Peter Dooley (Birr/Leinster)

2 – Scott Flannagan (Buccaneers/Connacht)

3 – Jacob Walsh (Ballinasloe/Connacht)

4 – Russell Blair (Ballymoney/Ulster)

5 – John Madigan (Charleville/Munster)

6 – Killian Sweeney (Malahide/Leinster)

7- Joe Bercis (Rugby Lions/Exiles)

8 – Jack O’Donohue (Waterpark/Munster) Captain

Replacements:

16 – Brian Cunningham (Navan/Leinster)

17 – Stephen Dalton (Westcombe Park/Exiles)

18 – Shane Byrne (Wicklow/Leinster)

19 – Luke Connolly (Glamorgan Wanderers/Exiles)

20 – Frankie Taggart (Whitgift/Exiles)

21 – Caolin Blade (Monivea/Connacht)

22 – Jim White (Enniscorthy/Leinster)

23 – Eoghan O’Reilly (Buccaneers/Connacht)

Management:

Head Coach – Wayne Mitchell

Manager – Willie Gribben

Assistant Coach – Jimmy Duffy

Doctor – John Quinlan

Physiotherapist – David Hanly

S&C Coach – Joe Mc Ginley

Video Analyst – Jim Herring

Kit/logistics – Tom Nyhan

Squad Coordinator – Sinead Bennett

Ireland Under-19 v England Under-19 (Saturday 14th April, London Irish RFC, Sunbury – Kick-off 13.00)

15 – Darragh Leader (Galwegians RFC / Connacht)

14 – Max McFarland (Clongowes Wood College /Leinster)

13 – Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)

12 – Thomas Daly (Carlow RFC/Leinster)

11 – Rory Scholes (Belfast Harlequins RFC/Ulster)

10 – Steve Crosbie (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)

9 – Dave Shannahan (Clontarf RFC/Leinster)

1 – Edward Byrne (Clongowes Wood College/Leinster)

2 – Bryan Byrne (Clongowes Wood College/Leinster)

3 – Christopher Taylor (Malone RFC/Ulster)

4 – Ultan Dillane (Tralee RFC/Munster)

5 – Gavin Thornbury (Blackrock College/Leinster)

6 – Conor Joyce (Malone RFC/Ulster) Captain

7 – Josh Van Der Flier (UCD RFC/Leinster)

8 – Ryan Murphy (Dolphin RFC/Munster)

Replacements:

16 – John Andrew (Ballymena RFC / Ulster)

17 – Niall Horan (Crescent College /Munster)

18 – Jamie Dever (Westport RFC /Connacht)

19 – Sean McCarthy (Rockwell College/Munster)

20 – Donagh Lawler (St. Michael’s College/Leinster)

21 – Barry Digby (Buccaneers RFC /Connacht)

22 – Harry McNulty (Dublin University RFC/Munster)

23 – Eoghain Quinn (Castleknock College/ Leinster)

Management:

Head Coach – Colin McEntee

Manager – Barney McGonigle

Assistant Coach – Nigel Carolan

Doctor – Tim O’Flanagan

Physiotherapist – Barry Smith

S&C Coach  – Sami Dowling

Video Analyst – Vinny Hammond

Kit/logisitcs – Colin Phillips

Squad Coordinator – Sinead Bennett

Educated in St. Mary’s Diocesan School in Drogheda, Horgan represented his native Meath at Minor football level before joining Lansdowne FC upon leaving school.

Boyne right-winger Horgan, 33, won his first Leinster cap against Ulster in August 1998 and he went on to win a brace of Celtic League (2001/02 and 2007/08) and Heineken Cup (2008/09 and 2010/11) honours over the next 13 years.

He made 87 Heineken Cup appearances (scoring 27 tries) and was the first Leinster player to reach the double century cap mark. He made the last of his 207 Leinster appearances (in which he scored 71 tries and 1 drop goal) in the 2011 Grand Final in Thomond Park.

For Ireland, Shane won the first of his 65 caps against Scotland in February 2000 (where he went on to score 21 career tries) and he was selected for both the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups where he would in total make 8 appearances (scoring 2 tries). In all he was a part of three Triple Crown winning sides.

Commenting on the announcement, Shane Horgan said: "Every professional sportsman realises that at some point their career will come to an end. I have been extremely fortunate to have played regularly for my province and with Ireland since my debut with Leinster in 1998 and while I am disappointed that injury has forced me to retire now, I know I have been very lucky to have had such a long and largely injury-free career.

"The support and expertise of the medical and fitness teams in Leinster and Ireland through the years has been first class. Their help, especially through the course of this injury, has been incredible.

"It has been a tremendous honour to represent my province and my country.  When you first start playing sport that is the ultimate ambition but few people are lucky enough to realise it. I am just so grateful that I was given that opportunity. I am equally fortunate to have played at a time when Leinster and Ireland experienced such great success and alongside a group of players with unprecedented talent and ambition.

"I want to thank the IRFU and Leinster, my playing colleagues and friends in the game and the many people who helped to shape and influence my career at different points over the last 14 years. I would also like to thank Lansdowne FC and my home club of Boyne RFC for their continuous support since I started playing the game. My family has always been my principal guiding influence and support, so public acknowledgment today is but a small element of the appreciation I owe them.

"To perform at the top of any professional sport players need good coaches and Ireland has been well served during my time with the National squad.  At Leinster, to have played under Mike Ruddock, Matt Williams, Michael Cheika and, as it turned out for the last season of my career, Joe Schmidt, represents the kind of good fortune that only "lucky" players get.

"My final expression of thanks is to the supporters of both Ireland and Leinster with whom I have shared some special days that I will never forget."

Leinster Rugby Chief Executive Michael Dawson said: "It is a sad day whenever a player has to retire prematurely, but Shane can look back on his long career with great pride. He was an integral part of both the Leinster and Ireland teams for a sustained period of time and his selection for the 2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand – where he earned three caps – was a high accolade which was richly deserved.

"For many supporters, Shane will be remembered for his outstanding feats on the international stage and it is somewhat fitting that his playing career finished on a high when he was invited by club captain Leo Cullen to join himself and Gordon D’Arcy on the winner’s podium to receive the Heineken Cup trophy in the Millennium Stadium last year. That gesture summed up the high esteem in which Shane was held and continues to be held by his peers.

"An outstanding ambassador for Meath, Leinster and Ireland  on behalf of everybody involved with Leinster Rugby I would like to thank him for his outstanding service to Leinster Rugby. It goes without saying that we wish Shane well with his future and I know that he will continue to make a positive impression in whatever field he decides to pursue."

Leinster Coach Joe Schmidt added: "As one of the longest serving players in the professional age, Shane will no doubt go down as one of the greats of Leinster and Irish rugby. He was a strong leader within the group whose contribution off the field mirrored his many feats on it.

"It was great to be involved with Shane last season where his performances contributed so much to the success of the team. It was fitting that his final season culminated in a second Heineken Cup success.

"The last year has been a frustrating one for Shane with knee surgery and long periods of rehabilitation. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, he has been unable to regain full fitness. It is a testament to Shane that his professionalism and influence have continued to impact positively on the group during this season.

"A born winner and resilient competitor, Shane’s retirement will no doubt leave a void in the group, but I know that his legacy of excellence and athleticism will continue to inspire future generations and we wish him all the best in the future."

Name: Shane Horgan

DOB: 18th July 1978

Birthplace: Bellewstown, Co. Meath

Height: 1.93 m (6′ 4")

Weight: 104 kg (16 st 5 lb)

Position: Centre / Wing

Club: Boyne RFC

School: St. Mary’s, Drogheda

Leinster Caps – Career: 207 (71 tries, 1 drop goal)

Leinster ‘A’ Caps: 2

Ireland Caps: 65 (21 tries)

British & Irish Lions Tourist: New Zealand (2005)

British & Irish Lions Caps: 3 (1 try)

Ireland ‘A’ Caps: 7

Ireland Under-21 Caps: 7 (1997/98 Triple Crown winner)

Ireland Youths Caps: 7

Leinster Youths Caps: 6

Traditionally this match has not been a happy hunting ground for the Irish as can be witnessed by Stephen Ferris’ recent reminiscences about meeting the English at age grade level. There’s been four confrontations between the two nations at U20 level over the last two seasons thanks to regularly meeting each other in the Junior World Cup and England have won all of them. It will be a tough ask for Ireland but with a whiff of the slam in their nostrils and England’s mantle of invincibility slightly frayed, now is their opportunity to end the winning streak.

This is a strong Ireland team. Traditionally Ireland have been let down at this level by a lack of professional conditioning and size but that does not seem to be so much of a problem this time round. That’s typified by the second row partnership of Qualter and Henderson, both of whom have returned from last year and are now over 18 stone (if you believe Ireland’s site). Henderson in particular has shown real power, frequently forcing his opponent(s) back in the contact area regardless of who’s got the ball. He’s been Ireland’s stand-out forward to date, combining that power with excellent athleticism and work ethic, along with flanker Conor Gilsenan. Gilsenan will be lining up at 6 to accomodate Conneely at 7, despite looking better as an openside himself, and I reckon Ruddock’s got that one wrong. It does however give the Irish plenty of mobility around the park to go along with the aptly named Jack Conan at 8, a natural for the Barbarians if ever there was one. The Irish front row of Merrey, Scannell and McCall is more solid than destructive, particularly with Tadgh Furlong missing with injury, but it’s held its own and got a few nudges on. The dimunitive Kyle McCall has probably received the most attention out of the three for his strong scrummaging on both sides, although that might just be me noticing him more as he looks a lot like a girl I knew at uni.

Behind the pack Ireland have a number of highly praised youngsters to pull the strings, none more so than scrum-half Luke McGrath. Playing a year young, McGrath looks like a fantastic all-round thinking scrum-half and providing he smooths out his pass he looks nigh certain to play for Ireland at senior level. It’s quite possible he’ll be alongside fly-half Paddy Jackson when he does, as Jackson is another lad seemingly able to do anything, although given his recent form he’d possibly be best advised to hand the goal-kicking duties to another. That man would be his 12 JJ Hanrahan, yet another darting playmaker. Between the two of them the ball should get wide quickly if desired. Outside centre Chris Farrell, a leggy 6’5” centre with pace and hands, is the obvious man to benefit from that, although the back three will fancy their chances as well. Shane Layden at full-back’s been the main man there, with the wingers Finn and Horan sometimes flattering to deceive, but all three will exploit empty space if given.

If this young Irish team seems on a mini-peak, then the baby orcs are possibly on a mini-dip. The pack is not as well stocked with the abrasive athleticism that players like Launchbury, Thomas and Vunipola brought last year. Kyle Sinckler is the closest to that, and a powerful carrier who looks and plays a little like a very big version of Steffon Armitage. He’s been ever-present in an incredibly young front-row; Koree Britton is 20, but Alec Hepburn only 18, and all of the front-row replacements will be free to play at this level again next year, as will Sinckler. The lightweight and lanky pairing of Tom Price and Dominic Barrow in the second row are also both a year young and the back-row mirrors Ireland with two 7s in Matt Kvesic and Chris Walker and a big 8, Jack Clifford. Again, I’d have played the 6 (Kvesic) at 7, and brought in a bigger man at 6 –  someone like David Sisi or Billy Vunipola.

What they lose in the pack they make up for in the backs, or at least they would if everyone was present. Ben Spencer is presumably behind Dan Robson at scrum-half due to missing a lot of the campaign, while Tom Heathcote will become England’s fifth fly-half in five matches. Ryan Mills has been one of them but will be playing at 12 today, where hopefully he’ll bring a sense of stability to the proceedings, which is just as well as Will Addison has been brought into the team in a very unfamiliar position. The usual understudy to Elliot Daly so far, Charlie Walker, will be on the wing (Addison’s more natural position) and he forms part of a lethal looking back-three along with Marland Yarde and Anthony Watson, who came into the squad earlier in the tournament after skiving from the U18s.

If you gave me money to bet on this match, I’d be on England. We are at home and seemingly have the ability to cut sides to pieces at the flick of a switch, largely thanks to the surfeit of pace from 12 outwards. Doglegs and missed tackles will be ruthlessly punished. But I’m not actually volunteering to bet any of my own money on it. I imagine Ireland will be looking to stem the flow at source, much like France did last week, and might just have the pack for it. If Ireland do start generating momentum, they possess the attacking weapons to make the most of it, although they’ve been a little profligerate to date. If the two sides were to exchange wingers I’d be very non-optimistic; to put it another way, we’re probably relying on them win the match. Which is not a cool position to be in. Previously at this age level, England have dominated everything in their path not wearing a black shirt simply by winning nearly ever collision going, forwards and backs. That does not look so certain an option. At my best estimate (I’m too lazy to add them all up and not all the Irish players have their weights listed online), the Irish team is actually slightly heavier; certainly there can’t be much in it, not when Chris Farrell has over two stone on his opposite man Addison.

This means it will come down to skill and tactics, desire and composure, luck and the ref. Both teams look like they’ll be running a lot of ball with the Irish, based on form so far, a bit more likely to kick. So, whoever wins this match (and championship), it should be a good match. And whoever loses, revenge beckons when the sides meet again in South Africa for the Junior World Cup.

England Under 20 side to play Ireland
Anthony Watson (London Irish); Marland Yarde (London Irish), Will Addison (Sale Sharks), Ryan Mills (Gloucester Rugby), Charlie Walker (Harlequins); Tom Heathcote (Bath Rugby), Dan Robson (Gloucester Rugby); Alec Hepburn (London Wasps), Koree Britton (Gloucester Rugby), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins); Tom Price (Leicester Tigers), Dom Barrow (Leeds Carnegie); Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors), Chris Walker (Leeds Carnegie) (C), Jack Clifford (Harlequins)

Replacements: Nathan Morris (London Wasps), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Ross Harrison (Sale Sharks), George Merrick (Harlequins), David Sisi (London Irish), Ben Spencer (Saracens), Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Ransom (Saracens)

Ireland Under 20 side to play England
Shane Layden (Buccaneers/Connacht); Conor Finn (Buccaneers/Connacht), Chris Farrell (Dungannon/Ulster), JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster), Foster Horan (Lansdowne/Leinster); Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster) (C), Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster); Des Merrey (Clontarf/Leinster), Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster), Kyle McCall (Ballynahinch/Ulster); Iain Henderson (Queen’s University/Ulster), Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers/Connacht); Conor Gilsenan (UCD/Leinster), Aaron Conneely (Corinthians/Connacht), Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Replacements: James Rael (Garryowen/Munster), Peter Reilly (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jake Cawley (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jordan Coghlan (UCD/Leinster), Kieron Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht), Cathal Marsh (Dublin University/Leinster), Stuart Olding (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

There is one change to the starting XV which took the field last weekend with Sean O’Brien returning, having recovered from the skin infection which ruled him out of that game.  Peter O’Mahony moves to the replacements.

Keith Earls and Cian Healy will both win their 30th caps on Saturday while Donncha O’Callaghan joins Paul O’Connell on 85.

Ireland Captain Rory Best will become Ireland’s most capped hooker on his 59th appearance on Saturday.

IRELAND Team & Replacements (v England, 2012 RBS 6 Nations Championship, Twickenham, Saturday, March 17, kick-off 5pm):

15 -Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 – Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 – Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
12 – Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 – Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
10 – Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
9 – Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
1 – Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 – Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) (capt)
3 – Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 – Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
6 – Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 – Sean O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
8 – Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:

16- Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
17 – Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
18 – Mike McCarthy (Buccaneers/Connacht)
19 – Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
20 – Tomas O’Leary (Dolphin/Munster)
21 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 – Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)