The Ireland Under-20 Team, sponsored by PwC, to play their opening game of the RBS 6 Nations against Italy has been named and only one Munster player, Shannon’s Greg O’Shea, will feature in the starting XV
Head Coach, Nigel Carolan has named an experienced side with six players from last year’s squad included in the starting XV to play Italy.
Up front, Oisin Heffernan will be joined by Jeremy Loughman and Zack McCall in the front row. David O’Connor and Alex Thompson are named in the second row. Lorcan Dow joins Josh Murphy and Rory Moloney in the back row to complete the pack.
Nick McCarthy will take up the scrum half position and will partner Ross Byrne who has been named at out half. McCarthy will also captain this year’s side.
Gary Ringrose who makes a return to the side from last year, will be joined by Fergal Cleary in the centre. Jack Owen and Greg O’Shea are named on the wing and Billy Dardis takes the full-back position.
Coach, Nigel Carolan said “Any time you play an Italian side it’s a fight, but it’s something players will need to adapt to.”
“To play the opening game away from home is always a challenge, but we are focused and are looking forward to kicking off”.
Ireland Under-20 team & Replacements (v Italy Under-20. Stadio Pozzi Lamarmora – Kick-off 19.00hrs local, 18.00hrs GMT):
15 – Billy Dardis (UCD/ Leinster)*
14 – Greg O’Shea (Shannon/ Munster)
13 – Garry Ringrose (UCD/ Leinster)*
12 – Fergal Cleary (Lansdowne / Leinster)
11 – Jack Owens (QUB/ Ulster)
10 – Ross Byrne (UCD / Leinster)
9 – Nick McCarthy (UCD/ Leinster) (Capt)*
1 – Jeremy Loughman (UCD / Leinster)
2 – Zack McCall (QUB/Ulster)
3 – Oisin Heffernan (Terenure/Leinster)*
4 – David O’Connor (St. Mary’s/Leinster)
5 – Alex Thompson (QUB/Ulster)
6 – Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster)*
7 – Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
8 – Lorcan Dow (QUB/Ulster)
Replacements
16 – Adam McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster)
17 – Michael Lagan (Ballymena/Ulster)
18 – Conan O’Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht)
19 – Cian Romaine (Buccaneers/Connacht)
20 – Nick Timoney (St. Mary’s/Leinster)
21 – Jack Cullen (Shannon/Munster)*
22 – Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster)
23 – Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
*Denotes previously capped at this level.
