The 19-year-old from Surrey, called up from outside the ranks of the 32-man Under 20 Elite Player Squad, forms a new pairing with Tom Casson (Saracens) as England make six changes to the side that took the field against Wales 12 days ago. He joins fellow Quins Academy players Seb Stegmann and Chris York in the starting line up, with Tom Sargeant retaining his place on the bench.

They face a tough task at Dubarry Park in Athlone (6.15pm) where Ireland have lost just once in four seasons in a meeting between the 2009 tournament's only two unbeaten teams.

Lowe and Casson complete a new-look midfield trio with Rory Clegg replacing Newcastle Falcons teammate Rob Miller at fly half while Leicester's Greig Tonks switches from centre to full back in place of Tom Homer (London Irish).

Up front Gloucester's Shaun Knight wins a first start at tight-head after displacing Bob Baker (Wasps) and lock Peter Elder (Wasps) is in the second row in place of Worcester's Graham Kitchener.

There are changes on the bench, too, with Wasps hooker Arthur Ellis taking over from James Clark (London Irish) and a call-up for Saracens wing James Short.

Dan Williams was recalled by Gloucester earlier this week allowing England to bring in Sale Sharks flanker Carl Fearns, who has recovered from the hand injury that ruled him out of the wins over Italy (17-0) and Wales (28-16).

"The boys have been very positive in the work they've done so far this week and the emphasis has been on quality on the training ground, and being physically and mentally ready for a big challenge," said coach Mark Mapletoft.

"Ireland are a very competitive side at home and that's something I've seen for myself when we were beaten here two years ago with players of the quality of Danny Care, Jordan Turner-Hall, Matt Mullan and a number of other guys who are now playing in the Guinness Premiership in our side.

"We know there will be a decent crowd and a very passionate atmosphere around the ground on the night but we've got 10 of the players who experienced that in our game against Wales at Bridgend.

"It's good to have Rory Clegg and Tom Casson back with us and George Lowe's a player who's been known to us for a while and who we looked at last season. He's been in good form with Esher and he has a great opportunity to make a mark against Ireland.

"Bob Baker's done extremely well for us at tight-head this season but Shaun Knight's also done well when he's come on in both games so far. We know we need a number of good props to be competitive at the Junior World Championship so it's a good opportunity to have a further look at him."

ENGLAND UNDER 20 (v Ireland, Athlone, February 27, 6.15pm)

15 Greig Tonks (Leicester Tigers)
14 Seb Stegmann (Harlequins)
13 George Lowe (Harlequins)
12 Tom Casson (Saracens)
11 Will Hurrell (Leicester Tigers)
10 Rory Clegg (Newcastle Falcons)
9 Dan White (Leeds Carnegie)
1 Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs)
2 Jamie George (Saracens)
3 Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby)
4 James Gaskell (Sale Sharks)
5 Peter Elder (London Wasps)
6 Josh Ovens (Bath Rugby)
7 Calum Clark (Leeds Carnegie, captain)
8 Chris York (Harlequins)

Replacements
16 Arthur Ellis (London Wasps)
17 Bob Baker (London Wasps)
18 Carl Fearns (Sale Sharks)
19 Tom Sargeant (Harlequins)
20 Sam Harrison (Leicester Tigers)
21 Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
22 James Short (Saracens)