Evan O'Connell named as Ireland U20s captain

Ireland Head Coach Richie Murphy has named a 31-man U20s squad with four players returning after last year's Grand Slam win.

Tue, 16 Jan, 2024 - 12:56

Fiona Halligan

Ireland U20s Head Coach Richie Murphy has named a 31-man squad for the 2024 Six Nations with four players returning after last year's Grand Slam winning campaign and second place finish at the World Rugby U20 Championship.

Munster's second row Evan O'Connell has been appointed captain with his second row partner Joe Hopes, back row Brian Gleeson and centre Hugh Gavin all returning for the 2024 Championship.

O'Connell is one of eight Munster players in the squad with Danny Sheahan, Sean Edogbo, Brian Gleeson, Luke Murphy, Jake O'Riordan, Stephen Kiely and Ben O'Connor.

There are three from Connacht with Gavin joined by Sean Naughton and Finn Treacy. Ulster are represented by seven players Henry Walker, Jacob Boyd, Joe Hopes, Bryn Ward, Josh Stevens, Ethan Graham and Rory Ellerby.

Leinster have eleven players in the side with Alex Usanov, Ben Howard, Stephen Smyth, Andrew Sparrow, Billy Corrigan, Alan Spicer, Oliver Coffey, Tadhg Brophy, Jack Murphy, Hugo McLaughlin and Wilhelm de Klerk. Patreece Bell and Will Wooton both play with Sale Sharks and have come through IQ Rugby.

Ireland's opening game is away to France at Stade Maurice David in Aix-en-Provence on Saturday February 3 (8.10pm Irish time) before back-to-back games at home in Musgrave Park against Italy on Friday February 9 (7.15pm) and Wales on Friday February 23 (7.15pm).

Murphy's side then head to The Recreation Ground in Bath to take on England on Friday March 8 (7.15pm) before their final game in Cork against Scotland on Friday March 15 (7pm).

The squad have been building towards the Six Nations with a series of training camps and challenge matches against Italy, Munster Development and Leinster Development over the Christmas period.

Murphy has also confirmed his coaching staff for the 2024 Championship with Willie Faloon (Defence and Lineout) and Aaron Dundon (Scrum and Contact Coach) continuing in their roles with former Ireland international Ian Keatley joining as Backs Coach.

"We have been working hard for a number of weeks and it’s an exciting time for these young players, who have the honour of representing the wider group in the Six Nations," said Murphy.

"We as coaches have pushed the players over the last number of months and I have been impressed by their work-rate, commitment and application. Now our focus turns to performance and the opening game against France, which we know will be a big challenge first up.

"We are looking forward to the opportunities over the coming weeks and are excited by the prospect of an Ireland U20s team returning to Six Nations action at Musgrave Park in Cork, where we always have huge support."

Ireland U20s Squad

Forwards (17):

Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster)

Ben Howard (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)

Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)

Henry Walker (Queen's University RFC/Ulster)

Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)

Patreece Bell (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)

Jacob Boyd (Queen's University RFC/Ulster)

Andrew Sparrow (UCD RFC/Leinster)

Joe Hopes (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)

Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)