There is also a new look to the front row as Jack O'Connell moves from tighthead to loosehead, with Stewart Maguire moving up from the replacement’s bench for his first start.

There are three new faces on the bench, with Leinster's Risteard Byrne and Munster duo Bryan Cagney and Gareth Quinn McDonogh also coming into the 22 for the first time.

Clarke said "Whilst the decision to alternate the squad was given much consideration, the changes reflect the quality of the player group.

"Stewart Maguire has been impressive when he has been launched from the bench and Tiernan O'Halloran has returned to the fine form he was displaying prior to sustaining an injury in a warm up match in December.

“Gareth's inclusion in the replacements is reward for his performances in the AIB League with Shannon as is that of Risteard Byrne with UCD."

Ireland under-20 takes on Wales U20 on Friday 12th March at 19.35hrs in Dubarry Park, Athlone.

Ireland U20 team to play Wales U20:

Andrew Conway (Blackrock College/Leinster), Darren Hudson (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Brendan Macken (Blackrock/Leinster), Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Tiernan O'Halloran (Galwegians/Connacht), James McKinney (Queen's University/Ulster), John Cooney (UCD /Leinster), Jack O'Connell (Lansdowne/Leinster), Niall Annett (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Stewart Maguire (Old Belvedere/ Leinster), David O'Callaghan (UCC/Munster), Ben Marshall (UCD/Leinster), Rhys Ruddock (UCD/Leinster) (Capt.), Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Patrick Butler (Shannon/Munster)

Replacements:
Risteard Byrne (UCD/Leinster), Bryan Cagney (UCC/Munster), Brian Hayes (Cork Constitution/Munster), Robin O'Sullivan (Bective Rangers/Leinster), Michael Heaney (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Gareth Quinn McDonogh (Shannon/ Munster), Eoin Griffin (Corinthians/Connacht) 20 - Michael Heaney