Ireland U20s to play Six Nations home games in Cork
MUSGRAVE PARK: Ireland U20s will continue to play their home games in Musgrave Park, Cork for the 2024 U20s Six Nations. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
The Ireland U20s will return to Musgrave Park in Cork for their three 2024 U20 Six Nations games as Richie Murphy's squad step up their preparation for next year's championship.
Musgrave Park has been the home of the Ireland U20s since 2019 with Murphy's side enjoying great success in the Cork venue and claiming back-to-back Grand Slam titles in front of sold out crowds.
There will be three games played in the 2024 Championship in Musgrave Park with Italy visiting in round two on Friday February 9 (7.15pm), Wales in round three on Friday February 23 (7.15pm) and a final round clash with Scotland on Friday March 15 (7pm).
In preparation for next year's tournament where Ireland travel to Aix-en-Provence to face France on Saturday February 3 in the first round, Head Coach Murphy has assembled an extended squad at the IRFU High Performance Centre for a series of camps.
The squad will play three warm-up games over the Christmas and New Year with the Italy U20s travelling to Dublin for a preseason clash at the UCD Bowl this Friday December 15 (2pm) before the Ireland U20s take on Munster Development at Musgrave Park on Friday December 29 (1pm) and Leinster Development on Friday January 5 (2pm) at Energia Park.
Murphy is hoping to build momentum for the Six Nations with the preseason games. "We have been busy laying the foundations for the season ahead with a series of preparatory camps at the HPC and we will step up the intensity with our usual run outs over the Christmas period.
"They will serve as vital prep for the Six Nations ahead, and allow us to build cohesion and momentum through performances and minutes on the pitch together as a squad."
Murphy is delighted to be returning to Musgrave Park for their home games "It is great news that we will once again play our home matches in Cork, which has been such a good home to us in recent years. The people of Cork have been unbelievably supportive of the Ireland U20s and the atmosphere they generate for us on a Friday night is invaluable.
"We as a group are looking forward to getting back down to Musgrave Park over Christmas for the warm-up game against Munster Development, and then in early February when we host Italy in the second match of the Six Nations. We have no doubt the support will be right behind the team again."
Murphy will name is U20s squad for the Six Nations on Wednesday January 17 2024
Friday 15 December: Ireland U20s v Italy U20s, UCD Bowl, 2pm
Friday 29 December: Ireland U20s v Munster Development, Musgrave Park, 1pm
Friday 5 January: Ireland U20s v Leinster Development, Energia Park, 2pm
Saturday 3 February: France U20s v Ireland U20s, 8.10pm Irish time, Stade Maurice David
Friday 9 February: Ireland U20s v Italy U20s, 7.15pm, Musgrave Park
Friday 23 February: Ireland U20s v Wales U20s, 7.15pm, Musgrave Park
Friday 8 March: England U20s v Ireland U20s, 7.15pm, The Rec
Friday 15 March: Ireland v Scotland, 7pm, Musgrave Park.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
