Four Limerick players in Irish U20s side for Six Nations opener

The Irish U20’s Rugby team have named their side to face England this Friday in Irish Independent Park in the Six Nations opener.

There is plenty of Munster representation in the squad with no fewer than nine Munster based players in the matchday squad.

There are four Limerick based players in the squad, all of which start.

Josh Wycherley, brother of Munster’s Fineen, starts at loosehead prop. His Young Munster teammate Conor Philips is named on the wing.

Shannon’s Craig Casey starts at scrum half and is joint vice captain of the side with fly half Harry Byrne, brother of Leinster fly half Ross.

Casey’s clubmate Jake Flannery will begin the game at full back.

Speaking ahead of the game, manager Noel McNamara said,

The players have prepared very well since we first came together before Christmas. We had a good camp last week in Cork and are looking forward to the challenge that England will bring this Friday night.

“We have a very talented group of players in the squad, and there were a number of tight calls on selection for this game. There’s a lot of rugby to be played over the coming weeks and months, so the competitiveness in the squad is a real positive and bodes well for the season ahead.

“Everyone involved is excited to be heading to Irish Independent Park for this opening fixture. It’s a great venue with a nice fast pitch, and we’re looking forward to getting the campaign underway in front of an energetic and lively crowd in Cork.”

The Ireland Under-20s’ first round encounter with England will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2, directly after the Ireland Women’s game against England (kick-off 5pm).

IRELAND UNDER-20 Team & Replacements (v England Under-20s, 2019 Under-20 Six Nations Championship, Irish Independent Park, Cork, Friday, February 1, kick-off 7.15pm):

15. Jake Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
14. Conor Phillips (Young Munster/Munster)
13. Liam Turner (Dublin University/Leinster)
12. David Hawkshaw (Clontarf/Leinster) (capt)
11. Jonathan Wren (Cork Constitution/Munster)
10. Harry Byrne (Lansdowne/Leinster) *
9. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)
1. Josh Wycherley (Young Munster/Munster)
2. Dylan Tierney Martin (Corinthians/Connacht) *
3. Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster)
4. Charlie Ryan (UCD/Leinster) *
5. Niall Murray (Buccaneers/Connacht)
6. Martin Moloney (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
7. Scott Penny (UCD/Leinster)
8. John Hodnett (UCC/Munster)

Replacements:

16. John McKee (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
17. Michael Milne (UCD/Leinster)
18. Ryan Lomas (Galwegians/Connacht)
19. Brian Deeny (Clontarf/Leinster)
20. David McCann (Banbridge/Ulster)
21. Cormac Foley (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
22. Sean French (Cork Constitution/Munster)
23. Rob Russell (Dublin University/Leinster)

* Denotes previously capped player at Under-20 level