Ireland team named ahead of a must-win fixture against Italy

Ireland U20’s Head Coach Noel McNamara has named his side to take on Italy tomorrow (Wednesday 12th June) (2.30pm Irish time) in the World Rugby U20 Championship in Argentina.

This will be a much different Ireland team to the one that lost to Australia on Saturday, featuring nine changes in total.

In the front-row, Josh Wycherley starts alongside John McKee and Michael Milne. Shannon RFC’s Thomas Aherne comes in to partner Ryan Baird in the second row while the back-row consists of David McCann, Ciaran Booth and the Azur Allison.

As for the backs, Colm Reilly starts at scrum-half alongside Ben Healy who lines out at number 10, while Cormac Foley is named at centre alongside Liam Turner who will captain the side.

The back-three sees Rob Russell and Angus Kernohan on the wings, with Jake Flannery starting in a more familiar full-back position.

Possibly Ireland’s brightest pair thus far at this World Cup (John Hodnett and Stewart Moore) have returned home due to injury and are replaced in the squad by Shannon’s Luke Clohessy and UCD’s David Ryan. Flanker Ronan Watters is following return to play protocols after a head injury sustained against Australia and is therefore not available for selection for tomorrow’s game.

Ireland has an outside chance of qualification from Pool B but must record a bonus-point win over Italy, while also putting up a huge amount of points on the scoreboard.

The 2019 Grand Slam Champions will also need favours should they execute the above task and will have to hope for favourable results from the France v Argentina, and South Africa v New Zealand matches. 

Tomorrow’s game which is held at Club de Rugby Atheneo Immaculada in Santa Fe will be available to watch on Eir Sport for those in the Republic of Ireland.