Doak makes two changes to Ireland U20s side for Italy clash

Ireland head coach Neil Doak, left, and Alex Usanov after the World Rugby U20 Championship 2025 Pool C match between Ireland and Georgia. Pic: Roberto Bregani/Sportsfile

Ireland head coach Neil Doak has side for Friday’s clash with hosts Italy in the World Rugby U20 Championship

The game takes place at 7.30pm (Irish time) in Stadio Luigi Zaffanella in Viadana.

There are two changes to the starting XV from the win over Georgia on Sunday. Scrumhalf Will Wootton starts along with Alex Usanov, while Connacht’s Éanna McCarthy again captains the side.

Charlie Molony, Paidi Farrell and Derry Moloney continue again in Ireland’s back three, with Eoghan Smyth and Ciarán Mangan making up the midfield pairing. Tom Wood is at out-half and is joined in the half-backs by Wootton.

In the pack, Usanov, Henry Walker and Alex Mullan are in the front row, Mahon Ronan and Billy Corrigan are in the engine room and Luke Murphy joins Michael Foy and McCarthy in the back row.

Mikey Yarr, Billy Bohan, Tom McAllister, Conor Kennelly and Bobby Power are the forwards available to Doak and his Coaching Team on the bench, with backs Clark Logan, Sam Wisniewski and Daniel Green completing Ireland’s 23.

Ireland U20: C Molony; P Farrell, C Mangan, E Smyth, D Moloney; T Wood, W Wootton; A Usanov, H Walker, A Mullan; M Ronan, B Corrigan; M Foy, É McCarthy (capt), L Murphy. 

Replacements: M Yarr, B Bohan, T McAllister, C Kennelly, B Power, C Logan, S Wisniewski, D Green.