All change for Ireland

Under-21 Championship Preview: At face value Mark McDermott has opted for sweeping changes in the wake of Ireland's defeat to Scotland in the last match, their first reverse against the Scots. However, players returning from injury primarily drive the Irish coach's alterations, writes John O'Sullivan

Secondrow Ryan Caldwell and flanker Oisin Hennessy played last year, the latter in an integral part of the match-day squad. Tommy Bowe returns to the starting XV on the right wing while there are two enforced changes at halfback.

Captain Gareth Steenson is out through injury while scrumhalf Cillian Willis is suspended. Barry Keeshan and David O'Leary take over. UCD's Greg Stafford is named in the centre in place of Kieran Geraghty who drops to the bench. Ireland beat Italy in their opening performance before falling to the Scots in a low-quality encounter played in very difficult conditions.

England coach Jim Mallinder gives a first cap to Worcester backrow Mark Hopley who starts at number eight in place of the injured Chris Goodman.

Ross Broadfoot has also been forced to withdraw which allows Newcastle Falcons outhalf Toby Flood his first start; Ryan Davis moves back to inside centre.

With Northampton Saints winger Paul Diggin not considered because of injury, Topsy Ojo of London Irish joins the replacements.

England's assistant coach Nigel Redman admitted: "Ireland are always very strong and physical, particularly at home. We've watched their game against Scotland and they contested the breakdown very well and that's an area we needed to be sharper in.

"There are 10 changes to the starting side that played France for various reasons but all these guys train together as a squad during the week.

"Experience told us that we'd need this depth and that's the reason we extended the training squad to 26 players.

"Opportunities come in many ways and injuries sometimes allow us to give some players the chance to come in and show us the work they've been doing and make us pick them next time."

England have lost their two games to date, well beaten at Newport (32-21) by Wales before going down narrowly to France (20-17) at Franklin's Gardens.

Ireland must play France and Wales in their last two outings so this match will give an indication of whether the Scottish defeat is an accurate representation or an aberration.

The Donnybrook pitch will undergo an inspection this morning.

IRELAND: M Kettyle (Belfast Harlequins); T Bowe (Belfast Harlequins), A Trimble (Ballymena), G Stafford (UCD), P McKenzie (Belfast Harlequins); B Keeshan (Cork Constitution), D O'Leary (UCC); M Diffley (Buccaneers), S Philpott (Saracens), J Andress (Belfast Harlequins); L Stevenson (Belfast Harlequins), R Caldwell (Dungannon); B McNamee (Northampton, capt), O Hennessy (Dungannon), S Ferris (Dungannon). Replacements: J Merrigan (Corinthians), E Bracken (Buccaneers), M Melbourne (Garryowen), C Henry (Malone), P Marshall (Ballynahinch), J Sexton (St Mary's College), K Geraghty (London Irish).

ENGLAND: O Morgan (Gloucester); T Biggs (Leeds Tykes), M Cornwell (Leicester Tigers), R Davis (Bath), T Varndell (Leicester Tigers); T Flood (Newcastle Falcons), Ben Foden (Sale Sharks); M Cusack (Leeds Tykes), N Briggs (Rotherham); A Croall (Saracens); R Blaze (Worcester), T Ryder (Leicester Tigers); J Haskell (London Wasps), D Seymour (Saracens), M Hopley (Worcester). Replacements: S Mackie (Newcastle Falcons), M Hampson (Leicester Tigers), S Cox (Sale Sharks), R Thorpe (London Irish), L Dickson (Newcastle Falcons), S Whatling (Worcester), T Ojo (London Irish).

Ireland v England

Donnybrook, 4.00