Connacht's Éanna McCarthy to captain Ireland U20s for upcoming Six Nations

CAPTAIN: Connacht's Éanna McCarthy has been named captain of the Ireland U20s for the upcoming Six Nations championship. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Ireland U20s Head Coach Neil Doak has named his squad for the upcoming 2025 U20 Six Nations.

Connacht back row Éanna McCarthy has been named captain ahead of the opening fixture agaisnt England at Virgin Meida Park on Thursday January 30 (7.45pm).

There are six players returning from last year's Six Nations campaign and World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa. Forwards Alex Usanov, Alan Spicer, Mikey Yarr, Billy Corrigan and Henry Walker, this is his second year at this age-grade along with scrum-half Will Wootton are returning to the Irish set-up.

The squad have been building towards the Six Nations through a series of camps at the IRFU High Performance Centre. Challenge matches in preparation for the tournament were held over Christmas against Italy and Leinster Development.

Ireland kick off their campaign at home to England in Cork before making the trip to Edinburgh to face Scotland in round two on Saturday February 8 (7.45pm).

Doak's side are on the round again for round three when they head to Rodney Parade on Friday February 21 (7.45pm) to take on Wales. They return to Virgin Media Park for a round four showdown with France on Friday March 7 (8pm).

Ireland conclude their championship with a trip to Treviso in an away clash with Italy on Friday March 14 (7.45pm).

Doak is excited to get the Six Nations campaign up and running. 

"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.

"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 England, 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 Virgin Media Park in Cork, where we always have huge support."

The Ireland U20s side are sported by PwC for the 20th year with Enda McDonagh, Managing Partner at PwC Ireland delighted to continue their support.  "This year we celebrate 20 years of supporting the Ireland U20s Rugby Team, and we are immensely proud of this longstanding partnership and the success achieved to date. PwC's sponsorship goes beyond financial support, it is about fostering a strong culture of talent, leadership and performance excellence."

Ireland Men's U20s Squad:

Forwards (17): Billy Bohan (Corinthians RFC/Connacht Rugby), Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster Rugby), Michael Foy (UCC RFC/Munster Rugby), Conor Kennelly (Highfield RFC/Munster Rugby), Connor Magee (Banbridge RFC/Ulster Rugby), Tom McAllister (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster Rugby), Eanna McCarthy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht Rugby), Alex Mullan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster Rugby), Aaron O'Brien (St Mary's College RFC/Leinster Rugby), Bobby Power (Galwegians RFC/Connacht Rugby), Mahon Ronan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster Rugby), Alan Spicer (UCD RFC/Leinster Rugby), Alex Usanov (Clontarf RFC/Leinster Rugby), Henry Walker (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster Rugby), David Walsh (Terenure College RFC/Leinster Rugby), Adam Watchorn (Kilkenny College/Leinster Rugby), Mikey Yarr (UCD RFC/Leinster Rugby).

Backs (14): Andrew Doyle (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster Rugby), Connor Fahy (Clontarf FC/Leinster Rugby), Paidi Farrell (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster Rugby), Daniel Green (Queen's University RFC/Ulster Rugby), Dylan Hicks (Garryowen FC/Munster Rugby), Gene O'Leary Kareem (UCC FC/Munster Rugby), Clark Logan (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster Rugby), Ciaran Mangan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster Rugby), Derry Moloney, (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster Rugby), Charlie Molony (UCD RFC/Leinster Rugby), Andre Ryan (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster Rugby), Eoghan Smyth (Cork Constitution FC/Munster Rugby), Sam Wisniewski (Clontarf RFC/Leinster Rugby), Will Wootton (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby).

Ireland Men's U20s Fixtures:

Thursday, 30 January: Ireland v England, Virgin Media Park, 7.45pm 

Saturday, 8 February: Scotland v Ireland, Hive Stadium, 7.45pm

Friday, 21 February: Wales v Ireland, Rodney Parade, 7.45pm 

Friday, 7 March: Ireland v France, Virgin Media Park, 8pm 

Friday, 14 March: Italy v Ireland, Stadio Comunale di Monigo, 7.45pm.