Brian Gleeson named Ireland U-20 captain for World Cup semi-final against England

O’Connell, nephew of Ireland legend Paul, has been excellent all year, but he will miss Sunday’s semi-final against England in Cape Town, and should Ireland advance to next Friday’s final, he will also be unavailable due to an ankle injury.

Ireland secured their place in the last four following the cancellation of Tuesday’s final pool game against Australia, and head coach Willie Faloon will be hoping that the extra rest will stand to them against a strong England side that pipped Ireland to the Six Nations by a single point.

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Ben O’Connor continues in the back-three with Finn Treacy and Hugo McLaughlin, as Wilhelm de Klerk partners Hugh Gavin in midfield. Jack Murphy and Oliver Coffey are at half-back.

Ben Howard, Danny Sheahan and Wilhelm de Klerk pack down in the front-row, Alan Spicer and James McKillop are in the engine room, while Sean Edogbo, Bryn Ward and Gleeson form a strong back-row.

Ireland U-20s – B O’Connor; F Treacy, W de Klerk, H Gavin, H McLaughlin; J Murphy, O Coffey; B Howard, D Sheahan, J Boyd; A Spicer, J McKillop; S Edogbo, B Ward, B Gleeson (capt). Reps: S Smyth, E Calvey, P Bell, B Corrigan, L Murphy, T Brophy, S Naughton, S Berman.

England U-20s – I Jones; B Redshaw, B Waghorn, S Kerr, A Willis; B Coen, O Allen; A Opoku-Fordjour, C Wright, A Fasogbon; J Bailey, J Kpoku; F Carnduff (capt), H Pollock, N Michelow. Reps: J Isaacs, C Miell, J Halliwell, O Sodeke, K James, L Friday, J Bellamy, T Cousins.

Ireland U-20s v England U-20s, DHL Stadium, Sunday, 3.30, RugbyPass.tv