Holders England survive Junior Kpoku's 20-minute red card to defeat Ireland in the Under-20s Six Nations opener 19-3 in Cork.

When these sides met last year, England scraped a draw to deny Ireland a historic three Grand Slams in succession

AFTER an eventful 12 months in international rugby, the Six Nations is back for another instalment, with Ireland’s attempt at an unprecedented third successive Six Nations Championship title starting with a chance to correct last year’s sour note.

IRELAND’S U20 SIX Nations campaign began in defeat to champions England in a drudging curtain-raiser at Virgin Media Park, Cork. On a rainy, windy night on Leeside, England’s suffocative defence weathered a series of Irish storms and the pinpoint boot of Ben Coen did the rest of the damage as the visitors made a deserved winning start to their title defence.

Gavan Casey looks at some of Ireland’s U20 Six Nations debutants ahead of tonight’s meeting with England (7:45pm).

BBC Sport NI picks five Ireland players who might catch the eye in this year's Under-20 Six Nations Championship.