McCarthy under no illusion of 'massive physical battle' Italy will bring

Ireland top the pool after their bonus point win over Georgia in a game where they had just 41% possession but ran in five tries with winger Paidi Farrell getting a brace and hooker Henry Walker, full-back Charlie Molony and lock Mahon Ronan also scoring.

Thu, 03 Jul, 2025 - 20:00

John Fallon

Ireland captain Éanna McCarthy is under no illusion about the task facing them in Viadana this Friday evening when they take on hosts Italy in the second round of the World Rugby U20 Championship (6.30pm Irish time).

Italy scored a first ever U20 Six Nations victory over Ireland earlier this year when they won 15-12 in Treviso and McCarthy said while they were boosted by their 35-28 opening round win over Georgia, he knows this will be a bigger test.

“Italy are going to bring a different challenge, I suppose a few faster backs, more rugby. I think we just need to build on the Georgia game.

“Italy will be another massive physical battle and they'll have good backs as well but at the same time we just need to concentrate on ourselves,” said the Cork native who is heading into his second year in the Connacht academy.

A key area of improvement for Ireland will need to be discipline. Their concession of 17 penalties, along with a yellow card for prop Alex Mullan, was the most of any side in the opening round.

In contrast, the fewest penalties conceded was by Italy, who coughed up just four in their 14-5 opening round loss to New Zealand.

Ireland, who won nine of 10 lineouts, will look to target that set-piece against an Italian side who lost four of their own throws.

Head coach Neil Doak has made two changes with Will Wootton, younger brother of former Munster player Alex, coming in for Clark Logan at scrum-half, while Alex Usanov gets the nod at tighthead in place of Billy Bohan.

Italy have one previous win over Ireland in this tournament when they won 22-21 in Georgia eight years ago, but the more significant result for this fixture came in this season’s Six Nations in Treviso.

Italy raced into a 15-0 lead in the opening eleven minutes and while Walker and Tom Wood hit back for tries for Ireland, Doak’s men were unable to avoid defeat in a campaign which saw them finish bottom with just one win over Scotland.

They will be boosted by their opening round win and victory in this one would set up a showdown next Wednesday with New Zealand for one of the semi-final spots.

IRELAND: 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, E McCarthy, L Murphy.

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

ITALY: E Todaro; A Drago, F Zanandea, R Casarin, J Ducros; R Fasti, N Beni; S Pelliccioli, N Corvasce, N Bolognini; M Midena, P Gritti; G Milano, C Bianchi, N Casartelli.

Replacements: A Caiolo-Serra, S Mistrulli, L Trevisan, E Opoku Gyamfi, A Miranda, M Bellotto, R Ioannucci, G Pietramala.

Referee: Ben Breakspear (Wales).