Irish must show big improvement

Under-21 International PreviewIreland v France Thomond Park (7.30) The season just gets tougher and tougher for Mark McDermott's charges as they prepare for the visit of France. The visitors beat Scotland (12-8) in Bourgoin and England (20-17) at Franklin's Gardens before losing to a late penalty from Welsh outhalf Matthew Jones in a 20-19 defeat at Aurillac.

Ireland, in contrast, had at less-than-convincing win over Italy, were beaten for the first time by Scotland and, last time out, were easily eclipsed by England, 28-6 at Stradbrook.

McDermott is probably just targeting an improvement in performance rather than pinning too many hopes on a victory in Limerick tonight.

UCD's Ross McCarron makes his debut at fullback, an honour that would also have fallen to Corinthians Danny Riordan had the latter not suffered an injury in training. London Irish wing Kieran Geraghty returns to the starting line-up, as does outhalf Gareth Steenson, who missed the England game through injury. The Dungannon playmaker resumes as captain.

There is only one change in the pack, where Corinthians' Joe Merrigan is named at hooker, with Rob Quinn named on the bench.

This match will be about taking small steps from an Irish perspective. The team will need to appreciably improve in the basics just to be competitive.

With the Under-21 World Cup in Argentina to be based on last year's tournament in Glasgow and the finishing positions in this season's Six Nations, Ireland will be hoping to sneak a win tonight to improve their draw.

Steenson will have to kick everything in sight and his team-mates will have to raise their game to a new level.

IRELAND U-21: R McCarron (UCD); K Geraghty (London Irish), A Trimble (Ballymena), G Stafford (Lansdowne), P McKenzie (Belfast Harlequins); G Steenson (Dungannon, capt), D O'Leary (UCC); M Diffley (Buccaneers), J Merrigan (Corinthians), J Andress (Belfast Harlequins); L Stevenson (Belfast Harlequins), R Caldwell (Dungannon); B McNamee (Northampton), O Hennessy (Dungannon), S Ferris (Dungannon). Replacements: E Bracken (Buccaneers), R Quinn (UCC), M Melbourne (Garryowen), C Henry (Malone), P Marshall (Ballynahinch), B Keeshan (Cork Constitution), M Kettyle (Belfast Harlequins).

FRANCE U-21: Dambielle; Bourret, Roux, Mirande, Denos; Ruiz, Campeggia; Diotallevi, Alexandre, Gambetta (capt); Jacquet, Drozdz; Bastin, Montagnat, Lafond. Replacements: Kayser, Montès, Fèvre, Chouly, Cibray, Lacroix, Figueuredo.

Referee: M Dordolo (Italy).