With ninth position in IRB Junior World Championship the objective for Ireland under-20s, Eric Elwood has made one change ahead of tomorrow's play-off game against Italy.
UCC and Munster prop Stephen Archer has been named in the front row with Ben Barclay dropping to the bench.
Defeat to New Zealand and Argentina left Ireland precariously positioned in the competition but spirits have been lifted by a 45-27 win over Tonga.
Two wins, starting with Italy in Cardiff, will ensure ninth and a third-place seeding for next year's tournament.
Elwood has seen enough from his team thus far, to be confident it can be achieved.
"We had a disappointing start to the tournament, but we can take some great positives from the way the boys have played individually and as a team throughout," sais the former Ireland outhalf today.
"We knew coming into this competition we had some tough battles ahead of us and even though we didn't get the result we would have liked, the boys gained valuable experience which will stand to us in the play-offs.
"We are focused on winning both remaining games to finish in ninth position to ensure a good seeding for next year."
Ireland under-20s (v Italy under-20s): Niall Morris; David Kearney, Eoin O'Malley, Conor Cleary, Chris Cochrane; Martin Dufficy, Ian Porter; Paul Karayiannis, Jason Harris-Wright, Stephen Archer; Ian Nagle, Eoin Sheriff; Kieran Essex, Paul Ryan (captain), Patrick Mallon. Replacements: Stephen Douglas, Ben Barclay, James Sandford, Michael Entwistle, David Moore, Ian Madigan, Jamie Smith
