Andrew Browne: Ireland 20s excited to test themselves against best team in the world

Head coach Browne knows as a player and coach just how demanding this tournament is, but also how it can help young players develop.

Ireland head coach Andrew Browne speaks to his players. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Andrew Browne has enjoyed little good fortune in the draw for fixtures in his sole year in charge of the Irish U-20 side who will open their Junior World Championship campaign this Saturday in Georgia with a clash against an England side who have reached the semi-finals in a dozen of the 15 years this tournament has been held.

The tournament in Georgia has been expanded from 12 to 16 teams, so only the four pool winners will go through to the semi-finals, with the next four playing off for fifth to eighth place and so on.