11 hours ago
Seven Munster players named in Ireland squad for U20 World Championship
Ireland head coach Neil Doak has named a 30-player squad for the U20 World Championship in Italy.
There are seven Munster players included in the group including second rows Michael Foy and Conor Kennelly, back-rows Luke Murphy and Oisín Minogue, centres Gene O'Leary Kareem and Eoghan Smyth, and out-half Tom Wood.
The squad announcement was further good news for Kennelly, Minogue, Smyth, and Wood, all of whom were also confirmed on Wednesday as being new recruits to the Munster academy. Connacht's Éanna McCarthy will captain the squad.
Ireland had a disappointing Six Nations campaign earlier this year, finishing bottom of the table.
'It's been a challenging season," said Doak, "but this group has shown resilience and real character. We know the competition at the World Championships will be fierce, but these experiences have made us stronger. We're looking forward to the opportunity to test ourselves on the world stage.'
Ireland's tournament gets underway on June 29 against Georgia. They face Italy on July 4, and then New Zealand on July 9.
A 35-player women's U20 squad has also been named for the Six Nations Summer Series in Wales. 11 players who were part of last year's squad for the inaugural series return for 2025.
"This competition represents a significant step in our player development pathway," said Ireland head coach Niamh Briggs.
"It provides a valuable opportunity for young athletes to challenge themselves against top-level opposition, experience the demands of an international environment, and continue their progression toward senior rugby.'
Ireland men's squad for U20 World Championship
Forwards: Billy Bohan (Connacht), Billy Corrigan (Leinster), Michael Foy (Munster), Conor Kennelly (Munster), Tom McAllister (Ulster), Éanna McCarthy (Connacht), Luke McLaughlin (Leinster), Oisín Minogue (Munster), Paddy Moore (Leinster), Alex Mullan (Leinster), Luke Murphy (Munster), Bobby Power (Connacht), Mahon Ronan (Leinster), Alex Usanov (Leinster), Henry Walker (Ulster), David Walsh (Leinster), Mikey Yarr (Leinster)
Backs: Connor Fahy (Leinster), Paidi Farrell (Leinster), Dan Green (Ulster), Clark Logan (Ulster), Ciaran Mangan (Leinster), Derry Moloney (Leinster), Charlie Molony (Leinster), Chris O'Connor (Leinster), Gene O'Leary Kareem (Munster), Eoghan Smyth (Munster), Sam Wisniewski (Leinster), Tom Wood (Munster), Will Wootton (IQ Rugby)
Ireland women's squad for U20 Six Nations Summer Series
Forwards: Jemima Adams Verling (Connacht), Alma Atagamen (Leinster), Sophie Barrett (Ulster), Grainne Burke (Munster), Ella Burns (Connacht), Beth Buttimer (Munster), Maebh Clenaghan (Ulster), Carla Cooney (Leinster), Aoife Corcoran (Leinster), Saoirse Crowe (Munster), Poppy Garvey (Connacht), Beibhinn Gleeson (Connacht), Sally Kelly (Munster), Merisa Kiripati (Connacht), Lily Morris (Munster), Jane Neill (Leinster), Aoibhe O'Flynn (Munster), Rosie Searle (Leinster)
Backs: Emma Brogan (Leinster), Hannah Clarke (Connacht), Lyndsay Clarke (Munster), Katie Corrigan (Leinster), Clara Dunne (Leinster), Caitriona Finn (Munster), Emily Foley (Connacht), Jade Gaffney (Leinster), Niamh Gallagher (IQ Rugby), May Goulding (IQ Rugby), Lucia Linn (Munster), Caoimhe McCormack (Leinster), Grainne Moran (Connacht), Robyn O'Connor (Leinster), Tara O'Neill (Ulster), Ellie O Sullivan Sexton (Leinster), Hannah Scanlon (Leinster)
