Ireland U20 Side Named for Italian Test

20th February 2019 By The Editor

Jake Flannery in action against England U20s at Irish Independent Park. INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Head Coach Noel McNamara has confirmed the Ireland U20 side, sponsored by PwC, to face Italy this Friday in Rieti, in the third round of the U20 Six Nations Championship.

Seven Munster players have been named in the squad with Jake Flannery, Jonathan Wren, Craig Casey, Josh Wycherley and John Hodnett included in the starting line-up while Billy Scannell and Ben Healy are set for their Championship debuts from the bench.

The game kicks-off at 6.00pm (Irish time) and will be streamed live here.

There are two changes to the starting XV that claimed a 24-5 win over Scotland last time out.

Casey, who missed the Scottish tie due to injury returns to wear the Number 9 jersey and partners out-half Harry Byrne.

In the scrum, props Josh Wycherley and Thomas Clarkson again start alongside hooker Dylan Tierney-Martin, with Charlie Ryan and Niall Murray in the second-row.

The back-row partnership is also retained, with flankers Martin Moloney and Scott Penny packing down with Number 8 Hodnett.

Captain David Hawkshaw continues his centre partnership with Liam Turner.

The other change to the side sees, Ulster’s Angus Kernohan, who won five U20 caps last season come onto the wing for his first appearance of this campaign. He lines out in the back-three with Wren and full-back Flannery.

There are four players named amongst the replacements who will be looking to win their first U20 caps on Friday, with Scannell, Callum Reid, Healy and Ronan Watters all included.

On the team announcement, McNamara said;

“We’re pleased to have won our opening two games, but the players are ambitious, and they are constantly looking for improvements in their performance, both individually and collectively.

“Our previous meetings with Italy have been really challenging encounters, with only one score separating the sides in our past number of games.

“The down week allowed for the players to get some good recovery in, as well as reviewing the Scotland game and looking ahead to this weekend.

“We had a really positive session with the Ireland Senior side last Friday in the Aviva Stadium, so the players are now looking forward to getting back into the green jersey on Friday night in Rieti.”

Ireland U20 v Italy U20, U20 Six Championship, Stadio Centro d’Italia, Rieti, February 22nd, 2019. Kick-Off 7pm (local) / 6pm (Irish)

15. Jake Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
14. Angus Kernohan (Queen’s University/Ulster)
13. Liam Turner (Dublin University/Leinster)
12. David Hawkshaw (Clontarf/Leinster) Captain
11. Jonathan Wren (Cork Constitution/Munster)
10. Harry Byrne (Lansdowne/Leinster)
9. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)

1. Josh Wycherley (Young Munster/Munster)
2. Dylan Tierney-Martin (Corinthians/Connacht)
3. Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster)
4. Charlie Ryan (UCD/Leinster)
5. Niall Murray (Buccaneers/Connacht)
6. Martin Moloney (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
7. Scott Penny (UCD RFC/Leinster)
8. John Hodnett (UCC/Munster)

Replacements:
16. Billy Scannell (Young Munster/Munster) *
17. Callum Reid (Banbridge/Ulster) *
18. Michael Milne (UCD/Leinster)
19. Brian Deeny (Clontarf/Leinster)
20. Ronan Watters (St.Mary’s College/Leinster) *
21. Cormac Foley (St.Mary’s College / Leinster)
22. Ben Healy (Garryowen/Munster) *
23. Rob Russell (Dublin University/Leinster)

*Denotes uncapped at this level
Ireland U20 Six Nations Fixtures and Results 2019

Friday 1st February 2019
Ireland U20 35 – 27 England U20, Irish Independent Park, Cork

Friday 8th February 2019
Scotland U20 5 – 24 Ireland U20, Netherdale, Galashiels

Friday 22nd February 2019
Italy U20 v Ireland U20, Stadio Centro d’Italia, Rieti
Stream via IrishRugby thanks to PwC Ireland – www.youtube.com/IrishRugbyTVOfficial

Friday 8th March 2019
Ireland U20 v France U20, 7.15pm, Irish Independent Park, Cork
Live on RTE

Friday 15th March 2019
Wales U20 v Ireland U20, 7.15pm, Stadwim Zip World (Parc Eirias), Colwyn Bay
Live on RTE