Getting To Know Our Ireland U20 Representatives

With the World Rugby Under 20 Championship due to get underway next week, get to know the eight Munster representatives named in this year’s squad.

In total 11 Munster players feature across this year’s 6 Nations and World Rugby U20 Championship, the province’s highest representation at international U20 level in recent seasons.

Ben Betts
A native of Co. Limerick, the 19-year-old began his playing career with Shannon Estuary before moving to Young Munster where he won the Munster Junior Cup this season.  A member of the sub-academy, the prop previously represented Munster at all age grades and featured for Munster A in this season’s British and Irish Cup.  On the international front Betts has also represented Ireland at all age grades and made his U20 debut off the bench against Italy in this year’s 6 Nations.
 
 
Sean O’Connor
A Munster Schools Senior Cup winning captain with Rockwell, the second row is another to have represented both province and country from U18 right through to U20.  Following September’s interprovincial success, the sub-academy player also lined out for Munster A in this season’s B&I Cup.  To date the Cashel RFC clubman has made three Ireland U20 appearances, all three coming in this year’s 6 Nations.
 
 
Kelvin Brown
Upon graduating from Ardscoil Rís the Limerick-man returned to his childhood club of Shannon RFC and has been capped at all provincial age-grade levels.  Joining the sub-academy last year, the dynamic back row has represented Ireland in U19 Sevens and lined out for Munster A in interprovincial action against Leinster and Ulster this season.  Making three appearances in this year’s U20 6 Nations, Brown crossed for a try in the campaign opener against Wales.
 
 
Bill Johnston
Like O’Connor, the Clonmel native was part of the Rockwell College side that claimed the 2015 Munster Schools Senior Cup. Having previously represented Munster U18 Schools, the Clonmel native also captained Ireland U18 Schools during the Rugby Europe U18 Championship in France last year.  Prior to progressing to the full academy programme back in November, the young fly half featured in Munster U20’s interprovincial success and won inclusion – alongside his older brother David – in the Munster senior squad for all three pre-season encounters, starting the final game against London Irish.  Suffering a dislocated shoulder while in action for Ireland U20 against a Munster Development XV in December, the Garryowen clubman missed this year’s U20 6 Nations, but makes a welcome return in time for this month’s World Championship.
  
 
Shane Daly
Hailing from Cork and playing Schools Senior Cup rugby with Presentation Brothers College, injury curtailed the centre’s earlier age-grade involvement with both province and country, only breaking through at U20 level.  Now a sub-academy and Cork Constitution player, this season Daly bagged interprovincial honours with Munster U20 and established himself as one of the form players in the U20 6 Nations, starting every game and scoring two tries.
 
  
Paul Kiernan
Having previously captained Munster U18 Schools, the centre later played two seasons with Munster U20 and lifted the interprovincial Cup as captain at the Sportsground in September.  A current UCC player and student, the PBC graduate has been capped for Ireland Schools and Ireland U19 whom he captained against France last year.  Most recently, Kiernan featured in Ireland U20’s final two games of the 6 Nations, against Italy and Scotland.
 
 
Vincent O'Brien
A former Muskerry RFC player, the Cork Con hooker played Schools rugby with Christian Brothers College, Cork and is another to have represented his native province at all age grades.  Still uncapped at international U20 level, he previously represented Ireland at U19 and is a member of the Munster sub-academy.  Just last month he scored a try for Ireland U20 as they suffered a narrow 26-24 loss to a Munster A/Development side at Thomond Park.

Evan Mintern
Another uncapped player at international U20 level, while attending CBC the lock represented Munster U18 Schools before lining out for Munster U20 this season.  Now playing club rugby with Cork Con, he started for Munster A/Development in the aforementioned win over Ireland U20 in May.
 
 
Ireland U20 open their 2016 World Rugby U20 Championship campaign against Wales at Manchester City Academy Stadium on Tuesday June 7^th, ko 5.30pm.