Forwards (17):
Billy Bohan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
Michael Foy (UCC RFC/Munster)
Conor Kennelly (Highfield RFC/Munster)
Connor Magee (Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
Tom McAllister (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
Éanna McCarthy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht) (capt.)
Alex Mullan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Aaron O’Brien (St. Mary’s College RFC/Leinster)
Bobby Power (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
Mahon Ronan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
Alan Spicer (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
Henry Walker (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
David Walsh (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
Adam Watchorn (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
Mikey Yarr (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Backs (14):
Andrew Doyle (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
Connor Fahy (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
Paidi Farrell (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
Daniel Green (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
Dylan Hicks (Garryowen FC/Munster)
Gene O’Leary Kareem (UCC RFC/Munster)
Clark Logan (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
Ciarán Mangan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Charlie Molony (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Andre Ryan (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Eoghan Smyth (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
Sam Wisniewski (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Will Wootton (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)
Ireland Men’s U20s Fixtures:
- Thursday, 30 January: Ireland v England, Virgin Media Park, 7.45 pm
- Saturday, 8 February: Scotland v Ireland, Hive Stadium, 7.45 pm
- Friday, 21 February: Wales v Ireland, Rodney Parade, 7.45 pm
- Friday, 7 March: Ireland v France, Virgin Media Park, 8 pm
- Friday, 14 March: Italy v Ireland, Stadio Comunale di Monigo, 7:45 pm.
Ireland's new U-20 captain, Eanna McCarthy, has admitted that being Irish skipper is a huge honour for him and his family.
The Connacht back-rower has been given the armband by the U-20's head coach, Neil Doak, this week, and his first big test as Ireland captain will be against England on January 30 at Virgin Media Park, barring injury.
Commenting on the award of the armband, the former Munster youth player said to the 42.ie, “It’s a huge honour for me and my family. It’s a dream as a young fella growing up that you’re going to play for Ireland, and I’m captaining them. I’ll take good pride in it now when I’m wearing the jersey on the 30th.
The young Ireland squad has played preparation games against the squad that has been preparing with camps at the IRFU High Performance Centre and challenge matches against Italy and Leinster Development.
During the Leinster game, McCarthy was handed the armband and the chance to lead Ireland in the 2025 Six Nations as a permanent option was something that delighted him.
“I was captain last week against Leinster [Development] when we played them. The thought was in the back of my mind, but I wasn’t 100% sure or I wasn’t sure what the story was. I was delighted when I got the call after."
He is now looking forward to returning to Cork, where his rugby career began.
“It is massive because I grew up playing rugby in Dolphin. It was more or less my home of rugby. It’s going to be good now; I’m looking forward to it. I think we have the capabilities to go out and beat England down there as well.”
Becoming Ireland captain at any level can come with pressure, and it can weigh heavily on certain individuals, but according to McCarthy, the armband is just a label, and Ireland's abundance of leaders will help drive the team on.
“Captain is only a label at the end of the day. There are leaders all over the field. I think the lads are going to drive it on as well as me. I won’t be the only fella.”
Ireland's fixtures include home games against England (30 January) and France (7 March), with away matches at Scotland (8 February) and Italy (14 March), plus a visit to Rodney Parade for Wales on 21 February.
Tickets for Ireland’s home matches at Virgin Media Park in Cork are available to purchase now via Ticketmaster.ie.
Ireland Men’s U20s Squad: