Paul Boyle to lead Ireland in tricky Italy opener

Lansdowne’s Paul Boyle will lead out the Ireland U20s for the first time at the Kutaisi Stadium in Georgia today as they begin their World Rugby Championship campaign with a tricky test against Italy.

The Gorey native will be the fourth player to captain the side in 2017, after Jack Kelly, Cillian Gallagher and Calvin Nash all held the armband during the Six Nations.

Having previously skippered the Leinster U19s, Boyle was delighted to receive the honour but is more than willing to seek advice from Kelly and Nash - who also start today’s opener.