Ireland U20s head coach Richie Murphy - has rejigged his squad to face Wales in Virgin Media Park this Friday night (kick-off 7:15pm). The Ireland coach has had an eventful week being named Ulster interim head coach till the end of the season. He will take up the role from the conclusion of the U20 Six Nations.
However, his eyes will be firmly fixed on the visit of Wales and continuing their search for a third successive Grand Slam. Murphy has opted for an a completely changed front row for the fixture. Terenure's Ben Howard, Queen's Henry Walker and Patreece Bell of Sale Sharks come in to start. Of the front row that started against Italy hooker, Stephen Smyth drops out of the squad altogether while Alex Usanov and Jacob Boyd drop down to the bench.
Alan Spicer is also not in the squad with Joe Hopes switching position into the second. row Sean Edogbo is given an opportunity to start at blindside after his winning try against Italy. There is still no Brian Gleeson who hasn't recovered from injury so Luke Murphy continues at 8. Ireland are unchanged in the backline. Elsewhere, Tom Brigg of Queen's University and Davy Colbert of Dublin University are set to make their debuts at this level off the bench.
The Ireland U20s team to face Wales in Cork on Friday night! 🟢#FutureIsGreen
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 21, 2024
Ireland U20
15. Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster)
14. Finn Treacy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
13. Wilhelm de Klerk (UCD RFC/Leinster)
12. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
11. Hugo McLaughlin (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
10. Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
9. Oliver Coffey (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
1. Ben Howard (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
2. Henry Walker (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
3. Patreece Bell (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)
4. Joe Hopes (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
5. Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) (capt)
6. Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster)
7. Bryn Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
8. Luke Murphy (Shannon RFC/Munster)
Replacements:
16. Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
17. Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
18. Jacob Boyd (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
19. Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
20. Tom Brigg (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
21. Tadhg Brophy (Naas RFC/Leinster)
22. Sean Naughton (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
23. Davy Colbert (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
🏴 𝐂𝐘𝐌𝐑𝐔 𝐔𝟐𝟎 🏴
👊 The men's U20 squad headed to Ireland! Ymlaen!
Get your U20s 🎟️ for the final two games at the Arms Park 👉https://t.co/XcI6GyvHJ9#CymruU20 pic.twitter.com/BPpV962r5P— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 21, 2024
Wales U20
15. Huw Anderson
14. Harry Rees-Weldon
13. Louie Hennessey
12. Harri Ackerman
11. Walker Price
10. Harri Wilde
9. Ieuan Davies
1. Josh Morse
2. Harry Thomas
3. Sam Scott
4. Jonny Green
5. Nick Thomas
6. Osian Thomas
7. Harry Beddall
8. Lucas de la Rua
Replacements:
16. Will Austin,
17. Jordan Morris
18. Kian Hire
19. Owen Conquer
20. Will Plessis
21. Rhodri Lewis
22. Harri Ford
23. Macs Page
