Ireland announce U20 squad for World Championship

Ireland U20 Coach Allen Clarke has announced his 26-man squad for the IRB Junior World Championship tournament.

The squad is built on the foundation of the U20 RBS 6 Nations Championship squad which saw Ireland finish in the runners-up spot behind France who took the title on points difference.

David O’Callaghan, Brian O’Hara and Nevin Spence all come into the squad, benefiting from their performances for the U20 Development team in their recent win against France in April in addition to Jonny Shiels who was capped for Ireland U19’s last season.

Ireland has been placed in Pool A of the Junior World Championship which is taking place in Japan for the first time.

Their opening three games see them play Argentina, defending Champions New Zealand and newcomers to the championship Uruguay.

The side will be captained again by No.8 Peter O’Mahony, who led the team during the U20 RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Backs (12):

Andrew Burke (Garryowen/Munster)

Shane Gahan (Lansdowne /Leinster)

Matthew Healy (Lansdowne/Leinster)

David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Michael Keating (Clontarf/Leinster)

Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)

Ian McKinley (UCD/Leinster)

Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)

Ronan O'Mahony (Garryowen/Munster)

Eamonn Sheridan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Jonny Shiels (QUB/Ulster)

Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch/Ulster)

Forwards (14):

Mark Flanagan (UCD/Leinster)

Adam Macklin (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

Paddy McAllister (Ballynahinch/Ulster)

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

David McGregor (Ballynahinch/Ulster)

Michael Noone (Seapoint/Leinster)

David O'Callaghan (UCC/Munster)

Jack O'Connell (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Brian O'Hara (U.L. Bohemians/Munster)

Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) Captain

Rhys Ruddock (Millfield School/Exiles)

Ciaran Ruddock (Neath/Exiles)

Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Thomas Sexton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)