Head Coach Richie Murphy has named his Ireland U20s Squad for the upcoming U20 Summer Series in Italy.
Murphy has selected a travelling panel of 31 players for the tournament involving the Six Nations Unions, South Africa and Georgia.
Ulster back row Reuben Crothers, who led Ireland to U20 Six Nations Grand Slam glory in March, once again captains the team, with the likes of Conor O’Tighearnaigh, James McCormick, Aitzol King and Fionn Gibbons named in the squad after their starring roles during the memorable Championship win.
Murphy has called up a number of players who impressed for the Ireland U19s against France earlier this season, with this four-match tournament providing invaluable development opportunities against high-level opposition.
The squad have been preparing for the tournament during a series of recent camps at the IRFU High Performance Centre, and Murphy’s side will depart for Italy on Tuesday ahead of their campaign opener against France at the Payanini Centre in Verona on Friday, 24 June (Kick-off 7pm, Irish time).
Ireland will then face South Africa in their second Pool A outing on Wednesday, 28 June (Kick-off 7pm, Irish time), before going head-to-head with Six Nations rivals England on Tuesday, 5 July (Kick-off 7pm, Irish time).
Ireland U20s Squad:
Forwards (18):
Adam McNamee (Malone RFC/Ulster)
Charlie Irvine (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Darragh McSweeney (Shannon RFC/Munster)
Diarmuid Mangan (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Dominic Rhys Hey (Gloucester Hartpury Rugby/IQ Rugby)
George Hadden (Gorey RFC/Leinster)
George Shaw (Cardiff University/IQ Rugby)
James McCormick (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
James McNabney (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
Joseph Mawhinney (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
Josh Hanlon (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
Kieran Ryan (Shannon RFC/Munster)
Lorcan McLoughlin (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster)
Oisin Michel (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
Ronan O’Sullivan (Highfield RFC/Munster)
Reuben Crothers (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)(Captain)
Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster)
Backs (13):
Aitzol King (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
Andrew O’Mahony (UCC RFC/Munster)
Daniel Hawkshaw (Clontarf RFC/Leinster)
David Dooley (MU Barnhall RFC/Leinster)
Dylan O’Grady (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Ethan Coughlan (Shannon RFC/Munster)
Fionn Gibbons (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Tony Butler (Garryowen FC/Munster)
George Coomber (UCC RFC/Munster)
Michael Moloney (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Reece Malone (Loughborough University/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
Shay McCarthy (Young Munster RFC/Munster).
Ireland U20s Fixtures:
- France v Ireland, Payanini Centre, Verona, Friday, June 24, 7pm
- Ireland v South Africa, Payanini Centre, Verona, Wednesday, June 29, 7pm
- Ireland v England, Payanini Centre, Verona, Tuesday, July 5, 7pm.
