U20s go with power for Bath night

Farrell’s most trusted lieutenants, starting 32 out of the last 37 Ireland games, and the ever-reliable Leinster No15 may be the sole change to the team which strolled to a bonus-point win against Wales a fortnight ago.

Keenan’s return may see Ciarán Frawley, who made his maiden Test start in round three, drop to the bench which is likely to feature six forwards once again as Ireland look to counter a fearsome English pack.

Farrell will confirm his team at 2pm today.

Meanwhile, Ireland Under 20 coach Richie Murphy has bulked up his forward back ahead of tomorrow night’s clash with England at the Rec in Bath.

Murphy’s side are unbeaten in the tournament to date and victory in Bath would put them in pole position to seal an unprecedented hat-trick of Grand Slams at this level when Scotland play a visit to Musgrave Park next weekend. Alex Usanov, Danny Sheahan and Jacob Boyd all start in the frontrow while Alan Spicer is drafted into the second row with Joe Hopes switching to the blindside flank as Seán Edogbo drops to the bench.

‘Seán was brilliant for us over the last couple of games,’ defence coach Willie Falloon explained.

‘We started Alan over in France and he did a really good job over there.

‘There’s a little bit of rotation. We’ve rotated a few players throughout and again, we’re building experience. Again, probably picking guys to do jobs.

‘We’re trying to strengthen depth and we’re quite lucky we have a strong squad this year in regards to the 30-35 or 40 guys around us.

‘It gives us really good competition. (Brian) Gleeson is a massive loss, but we do have decent strength around us.’ IRELAND U20 (v England): B O’Connor; F Treacy, W de Klerk, H Gavin, H McLaughlin; J Murphy, O Coffey; A Usanov, D Sheahan, J Boyd; A Spicer, E O’Connell (capt); J Hopes, B Ward, L Murphy. Reps: H Walker, B Howard, P Bell, B Corrigan, S Edogbo, T Brophy, S Naughton, D Colbert.