Ireland U20 boss Doak makes seven changes for Scotland clash 

Ireland's Michael Foy. Pic: Sebastiano Pessina/Inpho

Ireland under-20s head coach Neil Doak has named his side for Monday’s lower-tier clash against Scotland in the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship (Kick-off, 5pm, Payanini Center, Verona).

There are seven changes to the starting team that fell 69-22 to New Zealand last Wednesday. 

The back line sees Clarke Logan, Sam Wisniewski, Gene O’Leary Kareem, Eoghan Smyth and Paidi Farrell start against the U20 Scotland side.

Mahon Ronan comes into the second row and Bobby Power joins the back row as Oisin Minogue moves to number eight.

Luke McLaughlin, Paddy Moore, Tom McAllister, Billy Corrigan and Eanna McCarthy are the forwards available on the bench, with backs Will Wootton, Jonny Scott and Charlie Molony completing Ireland’s 23.

Even if Ireland finish bottom — with the loser of their clash with Scotland facing either Georgia or Spain — they are unlikely to be relegated as World Rugby proposes increasing this tournament from 12 to 16 teams in 2026.

Ireland: D Green; P Farrell, C Mangan, E Smyth, G O’Leary Kareem; S Wisniewski, C Logan; A Usanov, H Walker - captain, A Mullan; M Ronan, C Kennelly; M Foy, B Power, O Minogue. 

Replacements: L McLaughlin, P Moore, T McAllister, B Corrigan, E McCarthy, W Wootton, J Scott, C Molony.