Willie Faloon appointed Ireland U20s Head Coach for World Rugby U20 Championship

Willie Faloon has been Ireland U20s Defence Coach under Murphy for the last two U20 Six Nations campaigns as well as last year's World Rugby U20 Championships in June.

HEAD COACH: The IRFU has announced that Willie Faloon will take over as Ireland U20s Head Coach for the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

The IRFU has announced that Willie Faloon will take over as Ireland U20s Head Coach for the World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.

Richie Murphy was Ireland U20s head coach and took up the interim Head Coach role with Ulster Rugby two months ago and was appointed their permanent Head Coach on a two year deal today. Following the annoucement the IRFU have appointed Faloon as Head Coach for the upcoming tournament in South Africa. 

Faloon has been Ireland U20s Defence Coach under Murphy for the last two U20 Six Nations campaigns as well as last year's World Rugby U20 Championships in June.

Ian Keatley (Attacks and Backs Coach) and Aaron Dundon (Forwards Coach) will continue in their roles with Neil Doak joining the management team as a Senior Coach. 

Former Ireland international Doak brings a wealth of coaching experience to the role haveing coached the Ireland U18s and Combined Academies in recent seasons and links up with the squad as they prepare for their trip to South Africa.

This years competition will take place over five match days from June 29 to July 19 in the Western Cape regions of Stellenbosch and Cape Town with the Pool schedules to be annuonced at the end of the month by World Rugby.

Ireland U20s will play three challenge matches before they head to South Africa against Irish Universities (May 24), Ulster A (June 1) and Munster A (June 7).

IRFU Head of Elite Player Development Peter Smyth congratulated Richie Murphy on his new role and was pleased to appoint Willie Faloon to the role. 

“We would like to firstly congratulate Richie on his new role with Ulster. He has done an exceptional job with the Ireland U20s in recent seasons and on behalf of all the management and players, we wish him well for the remainder of the season with Ulster and beyond.

“It was important for us to maintain consistency within our group so we are pleased to confirm the appointment of Willie as Ireland U20s Head Coach for this summer, with Aaron and Ian continuing in their roles and Neil joining the team as a Senior Coach.

“A World Rugby U20 Championship is always an exciting challenge and coming off the back of the Six Nations, the group are motivated to work hard in the weeks ahead to put themselves in the best position to perform against the world’s best in South Africa.”

Ireland U20s Coaching Team – 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship:

Head Coach – Willie Faloon 

Senior Coach – Neil Doak 

Attack and Backs Coach – Ian Keatley 

Forwards Coach – Aaron Dundon.