Ireland's Willie Faloon has announced his starting side for Saturday’s World Rugby U20 Championship opening game against Italy in Cape Town.
Paul O'Connell's nephew, Evan O'Connell, captains the side. He and Alan Spice start in the second row.
A back-three of Ben O'Connor, Davy Colbert, and Hugo McLaughlin also get the nod. Jack Murphy and Oliver Coffey start as Ireland's half-back pair. Jacob Boyd, Danny Sheahan, and Patreece Bell make up the front row, while the side is completed by a trio of Sean Edogbo, Max Flynn, and Luke Murphy.
The Ireland Men's U20s Match Day Squad for Saturday's World Rugby U20 Championship opener against Italy in Cape Town! 🟢#FutureIsGreen
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 27, 2024
Faloon also has strong options on the bench, with Stephen Smyth, Emmet Calvey, Andrew Sparrow, James McKillop, and Bryn Ward providing the replacements up front, while scrum-half Jake O’Riordan is in line for his U20 debut should he come off the bench. Backs Sean Naughton and Hugh Gavin complete Ireland’s match-day squad.
Kick-off is at 3:30 p.m. (Irish time).
Ireland Men’s U20s (vs. Italy)
15. Ben O’Connor 14. Davy Colbert, 11. Hugo McLaughlin
13. Finn Treacy 12. Sam Berman 10. Jack Murphy 9. Oliver Coffey
1. Jacob Boyd 2. Danny Sheahan 3. Patreece Bell
4. Alan Spicer 5. Evan O’Connell
6. Sean Edogbo 7. Max Flynn 8. Luke Murphy
Replacements:
16. Stephen Smyth 17. Emmet Calvey 18. Andrew Sparrow 19. James McKillop 20. Bryn Ward 21. Jake O'Riordan; 22. Sean Naughton 23. Hugh Gavin
