IRELAND’S Under-20s kick off their Six Nations campaign this evening in Cork.
In case you need a reminder, they fell just short of a hat-trick of consecutive titles last March as England topped the table.
So this figures to be a massive match-up in where the trophy will ultimately wind up with England first up for Neil Doak’s youngsters.
As is tradition, the Under-20s will serve as the curtain-raiser before the two nations’ senior side clash at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
Here’s everything to know around how to catch today’s action:
What TV channel is Ireland U20s vs England on?
The match will be shown live on Virgin Media Two.
So you also have the free streaming option provided by the Virgin Media Player.
Kick-off from a sold-out Virgin Media Park, formerly Musgrave, in Cork will be at 7.45pm.
Coverage will commence 15 minutes prior.
What is the Irish team?
Ireland: Charlie Molony; Derry Moloney, Connor Fahy, Eoghan Smyth, Ciaran Mangan; Sam Wisniewski, Clark Logan; Alex Usanov, Henry Walker, Alex Mullan; Mahon Ronan, Billy Corrigan; Michael Foy, Bobby Power, Éanna McCarthy (capt).
Replacements: Connor Magee, Billy Bohan, Tom McAllister, David Walsh, Oisin Minogue, Andrew Doyle, Gene O’Leary Kareem, Daniel Green.
Main event build-up:
Sam Prendergast has graduated from starring for the U20s in successive Grand Slam campaigns to seemingly being set to start on Saturday in the biggest game of his fledgling career.
Andrew Goodman spoke earlier in the week about what a big benefit having Johnny Sexton onboard as a coaching consultant will be for Prendergast, Jack Crowley and Ciaran Frawley.
Goodman said: “He’s great to have around, apart from being a great padel partner – he’s sharp on the courtside and I try to get in with him as much as I can.
“He’s doing the coaching with the kicking and mental (skills) with the 10s.
“Who could you ask better for a young Irish No 10 to have Johnny Sexton around, watching training with you and giving you live feedback in training and everything else.
“He’s been in touch with them most weeks through the provincial European games. They have a great laugh together.
“The young No 10s all work well together and there’s often times they’re together chewing the fat around the game.”
But Goodman believes that former captain Sexton can also help the rest of the players, and the coaches.
He said: “Not just the 10s though, he’s been a great leader for this country as a captain so with a new captain in the group and some younger leaders coming through as well, it’s a massive, important year.
“He’s around for all players to use – not just the 10s.
“Around his leadership, not only with Ireland but with his province as well he’s passing on bits of wisdom to all of them.”
“For us coaches, he’s got such a great eye on the game.
“Personally, myself, I run things past him and I love him because he’s honest and he’ll provide his own opinion on things as well.
“And that always leads to discussion and debate and then ultimately you get to a really good spot.
“I’m using him a lot, he’s got a great eye for the game and hopefully he can continue in that role for as long as possible.”
