The French will represent another tough challenge, judging from their 37 – 0 win over Scotland under 21 last weekend, but Ireland Coach Mark McDermott feels that his team can improve on certain areas of their game to take on the French. 

He said, “Last week we took the majority of our scoring chances, so we were happy in that respect.  This week presents a whole new challenge and the key areas where we wanted to improve, such as our ball presentation at the breakdown and areas of our defence, will be vital for Friday’s game.”

He continued, “France are always strong at this level, so the squad are well aware that we will need to up the levels of performance from last week.   Playing away also brings its own challenges, but we are in good shape for the game.”

The team will again be captained by Ulster hooker Stuart Philpott.

The Ireland under 21 team to play against France under 21 in the Centre sportif de Hautepierre, Strasbourg, at 13.30 (GMT) on Friday, 10th February 2006 is as follows:  

IRELAND U21: 15. Fionn Carr (Blackrock College); 14. Peter Durcan (Galwegians); 13. Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins); 12. Conan Doyle (Garryowen); 11. Matthew Williams (Bristol Shoguns/Hartpury College); 10. Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College); 9. Paul Marshall (Ballynahinch); 1. Darragh Hurley (UCC); 2. Stuart Philpott (Belfast Harlequins) Captain; 3. Paul Doran-Jones (Dublin University); 4. Daniel Touhy (Gloucester/Hartpury College); 5. Devin Toner (Lansdowne); 6. Ross Noonan (UCC); 7. Ejike Uzoigwe (Hartpury College); 8. Billy Holland (UCC) 

Replacements: 16. Sean Cronin (Shannon); 17. Callum Black (Worcester Warriors/Hartpury College); 18. David McGowan (Buccaneers); 19. Sean O'Brien (UCD); 20. Duncan Williams (UCC); 21. Tom Gleeson (Cork Con); 22. Fergus McFadden (UCD)