Ireland U20s head coach Richie Murphy has named a talented 32-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations Championship.
Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy has been named as captain, with Ireland kicking off their campaign against Wales on February 3.
Diarmuid Mangan, Conor O’Tighearnaigh, and James McNabney all featured in last year's Grand Slam winning Six Nations campaign, while Sam Prendergast, Charlie Irvine, Harry West and George Hadden were part the squad for the u20s Summer Series tournament last June.
Other notable names include Munster's youngest ever debutant Ruadhán Quinn, Paul O'Connell's nephew Evan O'Connell, and La Rochelle man Ike Anagu, whom we wrote about recently.
Johnny Sexton's brother Mark continues his role as backs and attack coach, alongside defence and lineout coach Willie Faloon. Aaron Dundon has also joined the ticket as scrum and contact coach.
Ireland U20s Prepare For The 2023 Six Nations Championship
6 January 2023; Sam Prendergast of Ireland during a friendly match between Ireland U20s and Leinster Development at Energia Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
READ HERE: The Fascinating Journeys Of Ireland's 2012 U20s Rugby Team
Below is the full squad and fixtures, taken from irishrugby.ie.
Ireland U20s Squad:
Forwards (17):
George Morris (Lansdowne/Leinster)
George Hadden (Clontarf/Leinster)
Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)(captain)
Conall Henchy (DUFC/Munster)
Danny Sheahan (UCC/Munster)
Ronan Foxe (Leinster/Old Belvedere)
Fiachna Barrett (Corinthians/Connacht)
Paddy McCarthy (DUFC/Leinster)
Conor O’Tighearnaigh (DUFC/Leinster)
Charlie Irvine (Queen’s University/Ulster)
Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Joe Hopes (Queen’s University/Ulster)
Jacob Sheahan (UCC/Munster)
Diarmuid Mangan (UCD/Leinster)
Ruadhán Quinn (Old Crescent/Munster)
James McNabney (Ballymena/Ulster)
Brian Gleeson (Garryowen/Munster)
Backs (15):
Jack Oliver (Garryowen/Munster)
Oscar Cawley (Naas/Leinster)
Fintan Gunne (Terenure/Leinster)
Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Matthew Lynch (DUFC/Leinster)
Harry West (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Sam Berman (DUFC/Leinster)
Hugh Gavin (Galwegians/Connacht)
Hugh Cooney (Clontarf/Leinster)
John Devine (Corinthians/Connacht)
Ike Anagu (La Rochelle/IQ Rugby)
James Nicholson (UCD/Leinster)
Rory Telfer (Queen’s University/Ulster)
Henry McErlean (Terenure/Leinster)
Noah Sheridan (Clontarf/Leinster)
Ireland U20 Fixtures:
- Friday, 3 February: Wales v Ireland, Colwyn Bay, 7pm (Virgin Media)
- Friday, 10 February: Ireland v France, Musgrave Park, 8pm (RTÉ)
- Friday, 24 February: Italy v Ireland, Stadio Comunale di Monigo, 7.15pm (RTÉ)
- Friday, 10 March: Scotland v Ireland, Scotstoun Stadium, 7.15pm (RTÉ)
- Sunday, 19 March: Ireland v England, Musgrave Park, 5pm (Virgin Media).
Feargal O’Rourke, PwC Ireland Managing Partner, commented:
"At PwC, we are excited for the start of the 2023 Six Nations Championship as we enter our eighteenth year as sponsors of the Ireland U20 squad. As defending Grand Slam Champions we have no doubt that the team will rise to the occasion for the 2023 campaign. The dedication and team-work that the U20s show is always exceptional and mirrors our own values at PwC.
"Wishing the team the very best of luck in the upcoming Championship. #FutureIsGreen.
SEE ALSO: Predicting Changes To The Irish Squad And The First Choice 23 Ahead Of The Six Nations
