Aberavon’s Ben John joins Owen Williams in the centre, Rhodri Jones replaces Rob Evans at loose head prop, Matthew Screech comes in for Pontypridd team-mate Cory Hill at lock and Luke Hamilton starts on the open side in place of Callum Thomas.
Edwards said: “With this selection, we are pretty close to our strongest side but there are still a few places up for grabs where players have been given some extra game time to prove themselves.
“Our main aim is to keep up the momentum we have shown in our games so far in this championship. Even when we have been down to 14 men, we have played a high-tempo, running rugby and we want to maintain that on Friday.
“Like us, Ireland have beaten Scotland and Italy so far and despite a home loss to France, they will be a well-drilled side, coached by former Wales coach Mike Ruddock. However, our aim is to win the match and we believe we can do that if we perform to our potential.”
Wales v Ireland – Friday, 11 March – 7.10pm – Parc y Scarlets
Wales Under 20: Steve Shingler (Scarlets / Llanelli); Adam Warren (Llandovery), Ben John (Ospreys / Aberavon), Owen Williams (Blues / Cardiff), Harry Robinson (Blues); Matthew Morgan (Ospreys / Swansea), Lewis Jones (Pontypridd); Rhodri Jones (Scarlets / Llanelli), Kirby Myhill (Scarlets / Llanelli), Will Taylor (Ospreys / Swansea),Macauley Cook (capt, Blues / Cardiff), Matthew Screech (Blues, Pontypridd), Edward Siggery (Pontypridd), Luke Hamilton (Blues / Glamorgan Wanderers), Ben Thomas (Ospreys / Bridgend).
Replacements: Sam Parry (Llandovery), Rob Evans (Scarlets / Carmarthen Quins), Cory Hill (Blues / Pontypridd), Owen Sheppeard (Blues / Pontypridd), Jonathan Evans (Dragons / Newport), Rheon James (Carmarthen Quins), Joseff Griffin (Blues / Cardiff).
Wales Under 20 Six Nations fixtures 2011
Wales 20 – 26 England – Saturday 5 Feb – Parc y Scarlets
Scotland 3 – 33 Wales – Friday 11 Feb – Stirling
Italy v Wales 15-46 – Friday 25 Feb – Cosenza
Wales v Ireland – Friday 11 March – 19.10 – Parc y Scarlets
France v Wales – Friday 18 March – 20.30 – Albi
Tickets for Wales U20 v Ireland at Parc y Scarlets are just £10 for adults and £5 for Under 16s and are available now from the Parc y Scarlets ticket office (tel / 0871 871 8088 / www.scarlets.co.uk) and from Ticketmaster tel 08442 777 888 / www.ticketmaster.co.uk
