Ireland Under-20 Men’s head coach Richie Murphy has today confirmed a 31-player squad (sponsored by PwC) for the upcoming 2024 Under-20 Six Nations Championship.
There are five returning players who were involved in last year’s Grand Slam-winning campaign and second-place finish at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship.
Munster second-row Evan O’Connell has been chosen as the new Ireland Under-20 captain, ahead of their opening fixture against France at Stade Maurice David on Saturday, February 3.
O’Connell and second-row partner Joe Hopes, alongside hooker Danny Sheahan, back-rower Brian Gleeson and centre Hugh Gavin, are named in the 2024 Championship squad having featured for Murphy’s side last year.
The Ireland U-20 squad have been building towards the Six Nations through a series of camps at the IRFU High-Performance Centre, while challenge matches against Italy, Munster Development and Leinster Development over the Christmas period have aided preparations.
Speaking at the squad announcement and media day at PwC headquarters in Dublin, Murphy also confirmed his coaching staff for the 2024 Championship.
Defence and lineout coach Willie Faloon and scrum and contact coach Aaron Dundon are continuing in their roles, and former Ireland international Ian Keatley has joined the Under-20 set-up as backs coach.
“We have been working hard for a number of weeks and it’s an exciting time for these young players, who have the honour of representing the wider group in the Six Nations,” said Murphy.
“We, as coaches, have pushed the players over the last number of months and I have been impressed by their work-rate, commitment, and application. Now our focus turns to performance and the opening game against France, which we know will be a big challenge first up.
Ireland u/20
Backs (14):
Oliver Coffey (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Tadhg Brophy (Naas RFC/Leinster)
Will Wootton (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)
Jake O’Riordan (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)
Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
Sean Naughton (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
Hugo McLaughlin (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
Ethan Graham (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
Rory Ellerby (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
Wilhelm de Klerk (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Finn Treacy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
Stephen Kiely (Shannon RFC/Munster)
Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster)
Forwards (17):
Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
Ben Howard (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
Henry Walker (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
Patreece Bell (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)
Jacob Boyd (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
Andrew Sparrow (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Joe Hopes (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) (capt)
Alan Spicer (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Bryn Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster)
Josh Stevens (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
Brian Gleeson (Garryowen FC/Munster)
Luke Murphy (Shannon RFC/Munster)