Limerick pair named in Ireland team to play Italy in U20 Six Nations

Limerick duo Evan O’Connell and Luke Murphy are named in the starting side, with UL Bohs man O’Connell set to captain the side.

Ireland Head Coach Richie Murphy has named his Match Day Squad, sponsored by PwC, for Friday night’s U20 Six Nations clash against Italy at Virgin Media Park (Kick-off 7.15pm).

The youngsters opened their 2024 Championship with an impressive bonus point win in France last weekend, with Murphy’s side returning home to Cork for their first home game of the campaign.

Limerick duo Evan O’Connell and Luke Murphy are named in the starting side, with UL Bohs man O’Connell set to captain the side.

Further Munster representation comes in the form of Ben O’Connor, as Murphy selects him as part of an unchanged backline alongside Finn Treacy and Hugo McLaughlin.

Hugh Gavin and Wilhelm de Klerk continue in midfield, while Jack Murphy and Oliver Coffey are the half-back pairing.

In the pack, Alex Usanov, Stephen Smyth and Jacob Boyd are the starting front row, with Alan Spicer once again packing down alongside captain O’Connell in the engine room. 

Joe Hopes is at blindside flanker, Bryn Ward at openside and Shannon’s Murphy at number eight.

Head Coach Murphy has strong options among the replacements bench as Danny Sheahan, Ben Howard, Patreece Bell, Billy Corrigan and Sean Edogbo provide the reinforcements up front, with backs Tadhg Brophy, Sean Naughton and Ethan Graham completing the 23.

Friday night’s match is live on Virgin Media Two, you can buy tickets here.

Ireland U20 team to play Italy:

15. Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster)
14. Finn Treacy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
13. Wilhelm de Klerk (UCD RFC/Leinster)
12. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
11. Hugo McLaughlin (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
10. Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
9. Oliver Coffey (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)

1. Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
2. Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
3. Jacob Boyd (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
4. Alan Spicer (UCD RFC/Leinster)
5. Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(captain)
6. Joe Hopes (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
7. Bryn Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
8. Luke Murphy (Shannon RFC/Munster)