Ireland U-20 Squad Named For Italian Clash

The Ireland Under-20 Team, sponsored by PwC, to play their opening game of the RBS 6 Nations against Italy has been named.

Head Coach, Nigel Carolan has named an experienced side with six players from last year's squad included in the starting XV to play Italy.

Two players from the Greencore Munster Academy have been named in the squad with Shannon winger Greg O'Shea starting on the wing and scrum-half Jack Cullen named amongst the replacements.

Up front, Oisín Heffernan will be joined by Jeremy Loughman and Zack McCall in the front row. David O'Connor and Alex Thompson are named in the second row. Lorcan Dow joins Josh Murphy and Rory Moloney in the back row to complete the pack.

Nick McCarthy will take up the scrum half position and will partner Ross Byrne who has been named at out-half. McCarthy will also captain this year's side.

Garry Ringrose who makes a return to the side from last year, will be joined by Fergal Cleary in the centre. Jack Owen and O'Shea are named on the wings and Billy Dardis takes the full-back position.

Coach, Nigel Carolan said: "Any time you play an Italian side it's a fight, but it's something players will need to adapt to.

"To play the opening game away from home is always a challenge, but we are focused and are looking forward to kicking off”.

Ireland Under-20 Side To Face Italy (Stadio Pozzi Lamarmora – Kick-off 19.00hrs local, 18.00hrs GMT)

15 – Billy Dardis (UCD/Leinster)*
14 – Greg O'Shea (Shannon/Munster)
13 – Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)*
12 – Fergal Cleary (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 – Jack Owens (QUB/Ulster)
10 – Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
9 – Nick McCarthy (UCD/Leinster) (Capt)*

1 – Jeremy Loughman (UCD/Leinster)
2 – Zack McCall (QUB/Ulster)
3 – Oisin Heffernan (Terenure/Leinster)*
4 – David O'Connor (St. Mary's/Leinster)
5 – Alex Thompson (QUB/Ulster)
6 – Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster)*
7 – Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
8 – Lorcan Dow (QUB/Ulster)

Replacements
16 – Adam McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster)
17 – Michael Lagan (Ballymena/Ulster)
18 – Conan O'Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht)
19 – Cian Romaine (Buccaneers/Connacht)
20 – Nick Timoney (St. Mary's/Leinster)
21 – Jack Cullen (Shannon/Munster)*
22 – Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster)
23 – Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster)

*Denotes previously capped at this level.

RBS 6 Nations Ireland Under-20 Fixtures:

Friday, February 6
Italy v Ireland, 6pm, Stadio Pozzi Lamarmora

Friday, February 13
Ireland v France, 7:05pm, Dubarry Park

Friday, February 27
Ireland v England, 7:05pm, Donnybrook

Sunday, March 15
Wales v Ireland, 7:45pm, Parc Eirias

Sunday, March 22
Scotland v Ireland, 7:30pm, Netherdale