Ireland U20 squad announced

An Ireland U20 squad of 24 players has been named for the opening game of the U20 6 Nations Championship campaign against France next Friday in Dubarry Park (kick off 7.30pm).

Ireland U20 Coach Allen Clarke has named 13 forwards and 11 backs in the enlarged squad, with David Kearney, Eamonn Sheridan and Ian Madigan the experienced members among the backs having been part of the under 20 Six Nations and Junior World Championship squads last year.

Queen's University student James Sandford is the only survivor in the forwards from last year’s panel.

Clarke and his coaching team will reduce the squad to 22 on Wednesday when they select the starting team and replacements for the match.

Ireland U20 Squad v France U20:

Backs:

Andrew Burke (Garryowen/Munster)

John Cooney (UCD/Leinster)

Gary Foley (Blackrock College/Leinster)

David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Michael Keating (Clontarf/Leinster)

Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)

Ian McKinley (UCD/Leinster)

Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)

John O'Brien (Buccaneers/Connacht)

Ronan O'Mahony (Garryowen/Munster)

Eamonn Sheridan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Forwards:

Mark Flanagan (UCD/Leinster)

Adam Macklin (Ulster)

Michael Noone (Seapoint & Lansdowne/Leinster)

Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Paddy McAllister (Ballynahinch/Ulster)

Jack McConnell (Lansdowne/Leinster)

David McGregor (Ballynahinch/Ulster)

Jack McGrath (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)

Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Ciaran Ruddock (Neath)

Rhys Ruddock (Neath)

James Sandford (Queens University/Ulster)

Thomas Sexton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)