The Irish Under-20s squad to face Italy in their World U20 Championship opening game in Cape Town has been announced, with the kick-off at 3.30pm Irish time. The side will be led by Evan O’Connell. The game, which marks the start of their Group B progression, will see Ireland pit against their long-standing Six Nations adversary Italy at the DHL Stadium.
In the team’s back three are Ben O’Connor, Davy Colbert and Hugo McLaughlin, while the midfield will feature Finn Treacy and Sam Berman. Jack Murphy and Oliver Coffey are set to continue their halfback collaboration from the U20 Six Nations. In the forward lineup, Jacob Boyd, Danny Sheahan and Patreece Bell constitute the front row, alongside captain O’Connell and Alan Spicer in the heart of the pack.
On the flank, Sean Edogbo will play on the blindside, and Connacht’s Max Flynn is all ready for his U20s debut at openside flanker. Luke Murphy secures the number eight position to round off the starting XV. In reserve, significant strength lies in Stephen Smyth, Emmet Calvey, Andrew Sparrow, James McKillop and Bryn Ward. Scrumhalf prospect Jake O’Riordan may make his U20s debut if brought on from the bench.
The Irish match day squad is rounded off by backs Sean Naughton and Hugh Gavin.
Ireland U20s lineup for game against Italy is as follows: 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 include: S Smyth, E Calvey, A Sparrow, J McKillop, B Ward, J O’Riordan, S Naughton and H Gavin.