Head coach Peter Malone has named the Ireland Under-20 squad, sponsored by PwC, for June’s World Rugby U-20 Championship in Georgia.
The tournament takes place from May 31 to June 18, with the Ireland Under-20s playing their pool games in Kutaisi, before moving to Tbilisi for the knock-out stages.
Ireland share Pool B with Italy, New Zealand and Scotland. The 28-man squad will be captained by Gorey native and Lansdowne back rower Paul Boyle (pictured below).
There are some new faces in the squad, with Under-19 players Jordan Duggan, Angus Curtis, David McCarthy, Alan Tynan and Michael Silvester all included for the tournament.
On confirmation of the squad, Peter Malone said: “It’s an exciting time for these players as they will all be experiencing a World Championship for the first time. It’s a great opportunity for them to go out and pit themselves against their peers from around the world.
“We’ve lost a number of players who were involved during the U-20 Six Nations through injury, so it’s very unlucky for those guys not to be involved, but it gives other players the chance to wear the green jersey on the world stage.
“We’re in a really strong pool with Italy and Scotland who made us work really hard for wins during the Six Nations, and then New Zealand who will have a number of players back from last year’s tournament so they will be a huge test for us.”
At the squad announcement, Feargal O’Rourke, Managing Partner, PwC, commented: “As a long time sponsor of Irish Rugby, we’re delighted to support the Under-20 team in this year’s World Rugby U-20 Championship.
“Talent, teamwork and a pursuit of excellence are the hallmarks of this team, following in the footsteps of their predecessors, and it is these shared values that have made our partnership with the IRFU so successful over the last 11 years.
“The team are great ambassadors for the country, for Irish Rugby and for PwC Ireland and we wish them the best of luck in Georgia in the upcoming games.”
The Ireland U-20s will open their campaign against Six Nations rivals Italy on Wednesday, May 31 in the Kutaisi Stadium. They will then meet Scotland on Sunday, June 4, and their final Pool B game takes place against New Zealand, whom Ireland defeated for the first time during last year’s Championship, on Thursday, June 8.
Ireland’s Pool B fixtures will be shown live on eir Sport. The tournament will also be shown on ITV and streamed via the World Rugby website.
IRELAND UNDER-20 Squad (2017 World Rugby Under-20 Championship, Kutaisi & Tbilisi, Georgia, May 31-June 18):
Backs (12) –
Angus Curtis (Queen’s University/Ulster) *
Conor Dean (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) *
Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)
Colm Hogan (Dublin University/Munster)
Jack Kelly (Dublin University/Leinster)
David McCarthy (Garryowen/Munster) *
Gavin Mullin (UCD/Leinster)
Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster)
Jack Stafford (Shannon/Munster)
Jonny Stewart (Queen’s University/Ulster)
Michael Silvester (Dublin University/Leinster) *
Alan Tynan (Young Munster/Munster) *
Forwards (16) –
Paul Boyle (Lansdowne/Leinster) (capt)
Charlie Connolly (Dublin University/Leinster)
Joey Conway (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Gavin Coombes (Young Munster/Munster)
Peter Cooper (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
Oisin Dowling (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jordan Duggan (Naas/Leinster) *
John Foley (Shannon/Munster)
Ronan Kelleher (UCD/Leinster)
Sean Masterson (Corinthians/Connacht)
Tadgh McElroy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Greg McGrath (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Marcus Rea (Queen’s University/Ulster)
Jack Regan (UCD/Leinster)
Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster/Munster)
Unavailable due to injury:
Cillian Gallagher, Bill Johnston, Jordan Larmour, Robert Lyttle, Johnny McPhillips, Tommy O’Brien
IRELAND U-20s’ World Rugby Championship Fixtures:
Pool B –
Ireland v Italy
Kutaisi Stadium, Kutaisi, Wednesday, May 31, 3.30pm local time/12.30pm Irish time
Ireland v Scotland
Kutaisi Stadium, Kutaisi, Sunday, June 4, 1pm local time/10am Irish time
Ireland v New Zealand
Kutaisi Stadium, Kutaisi, Thursday, June 8, 3.30pm local time/12.30pm Irish time
Semi-Finals –
Avchala Stadium or Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi, Tuesday, June 13
Play-Offs –
Avchala Stadium or Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi, Sunday, June 18
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