TEAM | Campbell starts for Irish U20s as team is named for Six Nations opener

Ireland Head Coach Richie Murphy has named his Irish U20 Match Day squad for Friday’s U20’s Six Nations opener.

There are four Munster players named in the squad in the form of Patrick Campbell, who starts at full back and replacements, Ronan O’Sullivan, Ethan Coughlan and Tony Butler.

Reuben Crothers will captain the team as the Ireland U20s return to their home at Musgrave Park for a Championship game for the first time since March 2020.

Only four of the players named have had previously featured in the squad. Crothers is joined in that regard by Chay Mullins, Mark Morrissey and Jack Boyle.

Campbell, who made his Munster senior debut against Wasps before Christmas starts at 15 with Chay Mullins and Shane Mallon on the wings. Leinster duo Fionn Gibbons and Ben Brownlee are paired in midfield. Charlie Tector and Connacht scrum-half Matthew Devine named in the half-backs.

Boyle starts in the front row alongside Ulster duo James McCormick and Scott Wilson, while Morrissey is joined in the second row by UCD team-mate Conor O’Tighearnaigh. Crothers as captain leads from the back row. With James McNabney of Ulster selected at openside and Leinster’s James Culhane at number eight.

Speaking ahead of the game was head coach Richie Murphy.

“We’re excited about the challenges ahead, starting with the visit of Wales to Musgrave Park under Friday Night Lights. The prospect of returning to Cork and playing in front of a big crowd, including family and friends, is a really exciting one for the players and the management team.”

Irish U20s side to play Wales in Six Nations Round 1

15. Patrick Campbell (Young Munster RFC/Munster)
14. Chay Mullins (Bristol Bears/IQ Rugby)
13. Fionn Gibbons (UCD RFC/Leinster)
12. Ben Brownlee (Blackrock College/Leinster)
11. Shane Mallon (UCD RFC/Leinster)
10. Charlie Tector (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
9. Matthew Devine (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)

1. Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster)
2. James McCormick (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
3. Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster)
4. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
5. Mark Morrissey (UCD RFC/Leinster)
6. James McNabney (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
7. Reuben Crothers (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)(Captain).
8. James Culhane (UCD RFC/Leinster).

Replacements:

16. Josh Hanlon (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
17. Oisin Michel (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
18. Rory McGuire (UCD/Leinster)
19. Adam McNamee (Malone RFC/Ulster)
20. Ronan O’Sullivan (Highfield RFC/Munster)
21. Ethan Coughlan (Shannon RFC/Munster)
22. Tony Butler (Garryowen FC/Munster)
23. Aitzol King (Clontarf FC/Leinster).