McCarthy to captain Ireland U20s against England

Eanna McCarthy will captain Ireland Under-20s against England

Connacht academy forward Eanna McCarthy has been named as Ireland Under-20s captain for Thursday's Six Nations opener against England at Musgrave Park.

The game will be broadcast live on BBC iPlayer, with a 19:45 GMT kick-off.

New head coach Neil Doak has named nine Leinster players in his starting XV, with two each from Connacht, Munster and Leinster.

Charlie Molony, Derry Molony and Ciaran Mangan start in the back three, with Eoghan Smyth, with Eoghan Smyth and Connor Fahy selected as the centres.

Fly-half Sam Wisniewski and Clark Logan form the half-back partnership.

Among the forwards, Alex Usanov, Henry Walker and Alex Mullan make up the front row, with Mahon Ronan and Billy Corrigan in the second row.

Michael Foy is chosen at blindside flanker, Bobby Power at openside and skipper McCarthy completes the starting team at number eight.

The pack replacements comprise Connor Magee, Billy Bohan, Tom McAllister, David Walsh and Oisin Minogue, while the substitutes for the backs are Andrew Doyle, Gene O'Leary Kareem and Daniel Green.

Ireland Under-20s: 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, Eanna McCarthy (capt).

Replacements: Connor Magee, Billy Bohan, Tom McAllister, David Walsh, Oisin Minogue, Andrew Doyle, Gene O'Leary Kareem, Daniel Green.