Head Coach Richie Murphy has announced the Ireland U20s Match Day Squad for their U20 Six Nations opener against France in Aix-en-Provence at 8pm on Saturday.
Evan O’Connell captains the team from the second row, joining four other players from last year’s Grand Slam-winning campaign. The starting XV includes Hugh Gavin at centre, Danny Sheahan at hooker, and Joe Hopes and Brian Gleeson in the back row. Ben O’Connor, Finn Treacy, and Hugo McLaughlin form the back three, while Wilhelm de Klerk partners Gavin in midfield. Oliver Coffey pairs with Jack Murphy in the half-backs. Upfront, Alex Usanov and Andrew Sparrow flank Sheahan, with Alan Spicer and captain O’Connell in the second row. Bryn Ward, Joe Hopes, and Gleeson complete the forward pack.
On the bench, Henry Walker, Ben Howard, Jacob Boyd, Billy Corrigan, and Luke Murphy provide front row support, while Tadhg Brophy, Sean Naughton, and Ethan Graham offer options in the backs.
Ireland U20s:
- Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster)
- Finn Treacy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
- Wilhelm de Klerk (UCD RFC/Leinster)
- Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
- Hugo McLaughlin (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
- Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
- Oliver Coffey (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
- Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
- Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
- Andrew Sparrow (UCD RFC/Leinster)
- Alan Spicer (UCD RFC/Leinster)
- Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) (capt)
- Joe Hopes (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
- Bryn Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
- Brian Gleeson (Garryowen FC/Munster)
Replacements:
- Henry Walker (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
- Ben Howard (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
- Jacob Boyd (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
- Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
- Luke Murphy (Shannon RFC/Munster)
- Tadhg Brophy (Naas RFC/Leinster)
- Sean Naughton (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
- Ethan Graham (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster).
