Macklin, who starred in Methody's 36-0 victory over Regent House at Ravenhill on Monday, is one of seven Ulster players in the squad - the first level where players from the schools and youth systems come together. David McIlwaine (Queen's University), Johnny Shiels (Coleraine AI), Kyle Kirkpatrick (Ards), David McGregor (Ballynahinch) and Alan Whitten (Instonians) have all been named in the starting line-up.

Coached again by Ulster's Charlie McAleese and Bobby Byrne, this season's squad has had half a dozen arduous weekend training camps over the last four months and has remained undefeated through a successful set of warm-up games against Irish Colleges (13-12), a UCD XV (38-0) and an Ulster Academy XV (31-0) as well as a conditioned match against Ireland Schools.

Manager John McKibbin praised the commitment the players had shown.

"Selection has been very difficult as we have been working with a squad of approximately 30 players, all of whom have impressed both during sessions and in the warm-up games," said McKibbin. "I can honestly say that all have fronted up and made strong cases to be picked."

The team is captained by Peter O'Mahoney, who was also skipper of the Ireland Schools team last season.

IRELAND UNDER-19: D McIlwaine (Queen's University/Ulster), J Shiels (Coleraine AI/Ulster), G Foley (CBC Monkstown/Leinster), S Gahan (Lansdowne/Leinster), K Kirkpatrick (Ards/Ulster); A Burke (Crescent College Limerick/Munster), C Murray (Young Munster/Munster); G Duffy (UCC/Munster), D McGregor (Ballynahinch/Ulster), A Whitten (Instonians/Ulster), C Ruddock (Swansea), M Flanagan (UCD/Leinster), P O'Mahoney (PBC Cork/Munster) (capt), S Dougall (St. Bernard's/Irish Exiles), M Noone (CBC Monkstown/Leinster)

Replacements:J McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster), A Macklin (Methodist College/Ulster), T Sexton (Belvedere College/Leinster), S Grannell (CBC Monkstown/Leinster), M Healy (Lansdowne/Leinster), I McKinley (St. Columba's College/Leinster), D Funston (City of Derry/Ulster).