The Ireland Under-20 Men's team has made seven changes to the team that beat Italy in the World Rugby U-20 Championship game ahead of their match against Georgia later today.
Max Flynn and Ruben Moloney come into the Ireland side for the very first time. Flynn will start in the back row, while Moloney starts in the back three on the wing.
Ben O’Connor and Davy Colbert complete the back three as fullback and the other winger, respectively. Sam Berman starts in the centre with Hugh Gavin.
Sean Naughton and Oliver Coffey start in a new half-back partnership.
Stephen Smyth and Andrew Sparrow start in the front row. James McKillop is at lock, and captain Evan O’Connell and Jacob Boyd complete the tight five.
The Ireland Men's U20s Match Day Squad to face Georgia in Stellenbosch! 🟢#FutureIsGreen
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 2, 2024
The already-mentioned Flynn starts in the back row, along with Luke Murphy and Sean Edogb in the starting back row.
Along with Mikey Yarr, Brian Gleeson, one of the Ireland U-20s’ best performers in 2023, is another notable inclusion among the replacements. The Munster talent is set to make his first U-20 appearance since the first round of this year’s U-20 Six Nations.
Emmet Calvey, Patreece Bell, and Alan Spicer are the other replacement forwards, while Naas scrum half Tadhg Brophy is poised for his tournament bow, with former Pres Bray pair Jack Murphy and Finn Treacy completing the matchday 23.
IRELAND UNDER-20 MEN’S Team & Replacements (vs. Georgia Under-20s, 2024 World Rugby Under-20 Championship, Pool B, Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch, Thursday, July 4, kick-off 2pm local time/1 Irish time):
Player/Club/Province –
15. Ben O’Connor
14. Davy Colbert 11. Ruben Moloney
13. Sam Berman 12. Hugh Gavin
10. Sean Naughton 9. Oliver Coffey
1. Jacob Boyd 2. Stephen Smyth 3. Andrew Sparrow
4. James McKillop 5. Evan O’Connell
6. Sean Edogbo 7. Max Flynn 8. Luke Murphy
Replacements:
16. Mikey Yarr; 17. Emmet Calvey; 18. Patreece Bell; 19. Alan Spicer; 20. Brian Gleeson; 21. Tadhg Brophy; 22. Jack Murphy 23. Finn Treacy
* Denotes uncapped player at Under-20 level
2024 WORLD RUGBY UNDER-20 CHAMPIONSHIP POOLS & SCHEDULE:
POOL A: France (1), Wales (6), New Zealand (7), Spain (12)
POOL B: Ireland (2), Australia (5), Georgia (8), and Italy (11)
POOL C: South Africa (3), England (4), Argentina (9), Fiji (10)
* Rankings based on last year’s placings (Spain won the 2023 U-20 Trophy)
Match Day 1: Saturday, June 29; Pool B: Ireland 55 Italy 15, DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Match Day 2: Thursday, July 4: Pool B: Ireland vs. Georgia, Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch, 2pm local time/1 Irish time
Match Day 3: Tuesday, July 9: Pool B: Ireland vs. Australia, Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town, 2pm local time/1 Irish time
Match Day 4: Sunday, July 14 (Semi-finals and play-off matches)
Match Day 5: Friday, July 19 (Final and ranking matches)
