Ireland U20s head coach Richie Murphy has named his starting line-up for Sunday's World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final against South Africa U20s (live on Virgin Media Two, kick-off: 3.30pm).
The big guns have been brought back in after the sweeping changes made for their last game against Fiji, as Ireland look to reach a first final since 2016.
After an impressive debut performance against Australia, Ronan Foxe starts at tight head, with Paddy McCarthy shifting to loose head, while Charlier Irvine also starts in the second-row, alongside Conor O'Tighearnaigh, after impressing against the Aussies.
With Hugh Cooney suspended, Hugh Gavin will continue in the unfamiliar role at outside centre, with Ireland's 'big three' of Sam Prendergast, Ruadhan Quinn, and Brian Gleeson all in the starting XV.
The bench brings some impressive fire power as well, with man-of-the-match against Fiji, Danny Sheahan, Evan O'Connell, Fiachna Barrett, and a stalwart of the Grand Slam winning team, George Hadden.
The Junior Springboks have picked an unchanged match day squad from Tuesday's win over Argentina.
Ireland U20s Name Their 23 For Semi-Final Clash With South Africa
Our World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final line up! 🟢#FutureIsGreen | @PwCIreland
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 7, 2023
READ HERE: Wonderful Gesture From Fiji Ahead Of Hugely Emotional Ireland U20s Game
Ireland U20s:
15. Henry McErlean (Terenure/Leinster)
14. Andrew Osborne (Naas/Leinster)
13. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
12. John Devine (Corinthians/Connacht)
11. James Nicholson (UCD/Leinster)
10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)
9. Fintan Gunne (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
1. Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
2. Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)(captain)
3. Ronan Foxe (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
4. Charlie Irvine (Queen’s University/Ulster)
5. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
6. Diarmuid Mangan (UCD/Leinster)
7. Ruadhan Quinn (Old Crescent RFC/Munster)
8. Brian Gleeson (Garryowen/Munster)
Replacements:
16. Danny Sheahan (UCC/Munster)
17. George Hadden (Clontarf/Leinster)
18. Fiachna Barrett (Corinthians/Connacht)
19. Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
20. Dan Barron (Dublin University/Leinster)
21. Oscar Cawley (Naas/Leinster)
22. Matthew Lynch (Dublin University/Leinster)
23. Sam Berman (Dublin University/Leinster).
Junior Springboks:
15. Hakeem Kunene – 2 caps, 0 points
14. Jurenzo Julius – 3 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
13. Katlego Letebele (vice-captain) – 5 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
12. Ethan Hooker – 2 caps, 5 points (1 try)
11. Michael Annies – 3 caps, 0 points
10. Jean Smith – 2 caps, 27 points (6 conversions; 5 penalty goals)
9. Imad Khan – 6 caps, 11 points (1 try, 3 conversions)
8. Corné Beets – 2 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
7. Ghudian van Reenen – 3 caps, 0 points
6. Paul de Villiers (captain) – 7 caps, 0 points
5. JF van Heerden – 3 caps, 0 points
4. Coetzee le Roux – 2 caps, 0 points
3. Dian Heunis – 1 cap, 0 points
2. Juann Else – 4 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
1. Corné Lavagna – 5 caps, 0 points
Replacements:
16. SJ Kotze – 3 caps, 0 points
17. Phatu Ganyane – 3 caps, 0 points
18. Zachary Porthen – 3 caps, 0 points
19. Jannes Potgieter – 3 caps, 0 points
20. Abulele Ndabambi – 2 caps, 0 points
21. Asad Moos – 1 cap, 0 points
22. Damian Markus – 3 caps, 5 points (1 try)
23. Regan Izaks – 2 caps, 0 points
SEE ALSO: 5 Players From The 2008 Ireland U20s With Different Journeys In Life
