Willie Falloon's Ireland side will take to the pitch against Italy in Pool B's opening contest of the World Rugby U-20 Championship.

Ireland are heavy favourites going into this tournament opener as they look to win the tournament this time round after finishing runners-up to France last year in South Africa.

In their last meeting in February, Ireland narrowly escaped with a victory as part of their Six Nations campaign, with a 23-22 victory in Cork as part of Richie Murphy's final campaign with the side before he took the mantle at Ulster. Now Willie Falloon will take charge and try to get Ireland over the hump and win the championship.

Ireland has a good record over the Azzurrini in this tournament, recording three wins coming out of the teams' four meetings. Irish legend Paul O'Connell's nephew Evan will captain the Irish side as they open their U-20 Championship campaign and try to add another win to Ireland's record against the Italians.

Also competing in Pool B alongside these teams are Australia and Georgia, who will also play each other today in Athlone, Cape Town.

Here is everything you need to know about the game:

Where is the game on?

The match will take place in DHL Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa.

What time is the game?

The match kicks off at 3:30 PM Irish time. Local time in the stadium will be 4:30 PM.

What TV channel is it on and can I stream it?

The match hasn't been selected for terrestrial TV. It will however be streamed on Rugbypass TV for free.

Team information

Willie Falloon has named his Ireland team as follows:

15. Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster)
14. Davy Colbert (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
13. Finn Treacy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
12. Sam Berman (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
11. Hugo McLaughlin (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
10. Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
9. Oliver Coffey (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
1. Jacob Boyd (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
2. Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
3. Patreece Bell (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)
4. Alan Spicer (UCD RFC/Leinster)
5. Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) (c)
6. Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster)
7. Max Flynn (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
8. Luke Murphy (Shannon RFC/Munster)

Replacements:

16. Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
17. Emmet Calvey (Shannon RFC/Munster)
18. Andrew Sparrow (UCD RFC/Leinster)
19. James McKillop (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
20. Bryn Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
21. Jake O’Riordan (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)
22. Sean Naughton (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
23. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)

Italy have yet to name their squad as of writing.

Betting odds

Ireland - 1/10

Draw - 25/1

Italy - 13/2

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