Nash Returns To Irish U20s For Italian Clash

Calvin Nash returns to the Irish U20 squad – in a Munster party of eight – as they look to keep on the winning track facing Italy in Rome on Friday.

After a dogged 20-19 victory against Scotland to open their Six Nations campaign last week, Ireland U20s head coach Nigel Carolan has named his squad for the latest instalment of the 2017 campaign in Rome on Friday.

The Stadio Enrico Chisoni is the venue, as Munster have a strong representation of eight players ahead of Friday night’s game, in which Ireland will be looking to keep their Grand Slam ambitions alive. Winger Calvin Nash returns to the squad having made his Senior Munster debut last Friday in the victory against Edinburgh, while Young Munster teammate Gavin Coombes comes onto the bench.

Ahead of the side departing for Prato, Carolan said “It was tough going last Friday night in Glasgow. The conditions made it challenging and with 21 of the 23 players involved gaining their first experience of international rugby at this level, the fact that we came away with the result against a very good Scottish side is a big positive.

The Italians are ever improving, so we are expecting another tough encounter, particularly up front, where they made life difficult for Wales last week.

We have made a couple of changes for this week, so for the players selected, we're looking for them to build on their experience from last week and continue to develop as a team.”

Irish U20 side to face Italy
15. Colm Hogan (Dublin University / Munster)
14. Jordan Larmour (St.Mary's College / Leinster)
13. Gavin Mullin (UCD RFC / Leinster)
12. Ciaran Frawley (UCD RFC / Leinster)
11. Calvin Nash (Young Munster / Munster)
10. Johnny McPhillips (Ballynahinch / Ulster)
9. Johnny Stewart (Queen's University / Ulster)
1. Joey Conway (UL Bohemians / Munster)
2. Tadgh McElroy (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
3. Charlie Connolly (Dublin University / Leinster)
4. Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster / Munster)
5. Oisin Dowling (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
6. Cillian Gallagher (Captain) (Corinthians / Connacht)
7. Paul Boyle (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
8. Caelan Doris (St.Mary's College / Leinster)

Replacements
16. Adam Moloney (Shannon RFC / Munster)
17. Rory Mulvihill (UCD RFC / Leinster)
18. Matthew Burke (Corinthians / Connacht)
19. Jack Regan (UCD RFC / Leinster)
20. Gavin Coombes (Young Munster / Munster)
21. Jack Lyons (Young Munster / Munster)
22. Conor Fitzgerald (Shannon RFC / Munster)
23. Tommy O'Brien (UCD RFC / Leinster)