The championship match between Ireland and Italy’s under-20 rugby teams, held at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium and broadcast live on RugbyPass TV, is sure to keep spectators on edge. This follows the close Six Nations match that saw Ireland clinch a single-point victory thanks to Sean Edogbo, a rising star from a talented rugby family, who broke the tie with a solo run to score.
Both teams, with their daring offensive techniques surely born from youthful enthusiasm, consistently provide a show worth watching. In the latest Six Nations showdown, Ireland averaged just over 34 points per game, outperforming their Italian rivals who secured roughly 24 points per match. Nevertheless, Italy’s young players are known for their ‘giocare’ style of play, mirroring France’s ‘jouer’ philosophy.
Ireland’s choice of a more agile, lightweight centre partnership could be a strategy in response to this – a change from their tactic during the Six Nations. Hugh Gavin, celebrated as Ireland’s top performer in the previous campaign, is now among the reserves. Meanwhile, Sam Berman, the newcomer from Ulster, fills the number 12 spot, marking his first under-20s showing since the concluding World Championship the previous year. Finn Treacy, known for his winger’s speed in the back three, has switched to outside centre.
Experience seems to be a running theme for Team Ireland. This game sees the return of previous World final players Gavin, Berman and captain Evan O’Connell from the squad who clinched second place in the previous year’s tournament. In addition to them, 16 others who participated in the decisive game against Scotland in the Six Nations will play in this weekend’s match. Players including Ben O’Connor, Hugo McLaughlin, Jack Murphy, and Oliver Coffey – all of whom started in all five championship games – remain as part of the lineup. The game against Italy marks the debut start for Davy Colbert, a wing who has so far only made appearances off the bench.
In recent times, Ireland’s scrum has often shown vulnerability, notably in their tense standoff with England. The Six Nations saw high staff rotation as they were on the hunt for an answer. For the next attempt, the front row will be led by Jacob Boyd of Ulster – who has transitioned from tighthead to loosehead, Danny Sheahan from Munster, and Patreece Bell from Sale.
Willie Faloon ascends to the helm as Ulster’s new commander, taking over from Richie Murphy. Given that he previously served as Ireland’s defence coach under Murphy’s leadership, his appointment ensures a seamless transition. Although a complete overhaul of the coaching style isn’t expected, Faloon hinted at escalating the intensity of the defensive strategy, focusing specifically on line speed and breakdown: “As the head coach now, my roles have altered, and it permits me to steer the defence more rigorously.”
The prospect of an intensified defence against Marco Scalabrin, the towering 6-ft 4-inch winger who missed out on securing the player of the match title in Cork, promises an engaging contest. As is always the case with these two, the show won’t be short of excitement.
Ireland under-20 team includes: B O’Connor, D Colbert, F Treacy, S Berman, H McLaughlin, J Murphy, O Coffey, J Boyd, D Sheahan, P Bell, A Spicer, E O’Connell, S Edogbo, M Flynn, and L Murphy. Substitutes: S Smyth, E Calvey, A Sparrow, J McKillop, B Ward, J O’Riordan, S Naughton, H Gavin.
Italy under-20 squad includes: M Belloni, M Scalabrin, F Zanandrea, N Bozzo, L Eletri, M Pucciarello, M Jimenez, S Pelliccioli, N Gasperini, D Ascari, M Midena, G Milano, C Zucconi, L Bellucci, J Botturi. The replacements entail: V Siciliano, F Gentile, F Pisani, T Redondi, N Casartelli, L Casilio, S Brisighella, P de Villiers.