The Irish match day squad for the U20 Six Nations in their round 2 clash against wales at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday night at 8pm has been announced by head coach Richie Murphy.
The second-round clash follows an impressive performance by the Ireland side against Scotland last weekend in their demolition job over the Scottish side with a thrilling and inspiring 38-7 victory.
The team named to play the tournament hosts include a strong backline including Chris Cosgrave, Nathan Doak and Tim Corkery, Jamie Osborne, Shane Jennings, Cathal Forde and Ben Moxham.
The forwards selected to start in Cardiff involve Jack Boyle who will his chance to play from the beginning this week following last week’s exclusion from the starting team, Ronan Loughnane, Mark Donnelly has also been promoted from the bench.
Captaining the side will be player of the match from round 1 Alex Kendallen, the back row will lead the team once again and will hope to continue his fine form and propel Ireland to another impressive win to make it two from two.
Alex Soroka will switch to second row alongside Harry Sheridan. Donnacha Byrne will play blindside flanker partnering Oisin McCormack. New additions to the match day squad include Jude Postlethwaite, Conor Rankin and George Saunderson all from Ulster. Munster man Feairghail O’Donoghue will look to make his debut this Friday following his call up as a result of an injury dealt to Darragh Murray.
Ireland U20s Team & Replacements:
15. Jamie Osborne (Naas CBS/Naas RFC/Leinster)
14. Ben Moxham (Larne High School/Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
13. Shane Jennings (Garbally College/Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
12. Cathal Forde (Colaiste Iognaid/Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
11. Chris Cosgrave (St Michael’s College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
10. Tim Corkery (St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny/UCD RFC/Leinster)
9. Nathan Doak (Wallace High School/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
1. Jack Boyle (St Michael’s College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
2. Ronan Loughnane (Cistercian College Roscrea/UCD RFC/Leinster)
3. Mark Donnelly (CBC Cork/Garryowen RFC/Munster)
4. Alex Soroka (Belvedere College/Clontarf RFC/Leinster)
5. Harry Sheridan (Sullivan Upper School/Dublin University FC/Ulster)
6. Donnacha Byrne (Summerhill College/Sligo RFC/Connacht)
7. Oisin McCormack (Garbally College/Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
8. Alex Kendellen (PBC Cork/UCC RFC/Munster)(Captain).
Replacements:
16. Eoin de Buitléar (Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiáran/An Ghaeltacht/Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
17. George Saunderson (Sullivan Upper School/Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
18. Sam Illo (Wesley College/Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
19. Mark Morrissey (Blackrock College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
20. Reuben Crothers (Wallace High School/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
21. Conor McKee (Sullivan Upper School/Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
22. Ben Carson (Wallace High School/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
23. Jude Postlethwaite (RBAI/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
24. Fearghail O’Donoghue (Cashel Community School/Cashel RFC/Munster)
25. Daniel Okeke (Ard Scoil Ris/Shannon RFC/Munster)
26. Conor Rankin (Campbell College Belfast/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster).
The clash will be live on RTÉ 2 while also being streamed on youtube and facebook channels.