Rugby - Ireland U-20 Squad Confirmed for World Rugby U20 Championships in Georgia
Ireland U20 Head Coach Peter Malone has named the Ireland Under-20 Squad, sponsored by PwC, for the World Rugby U20 Championships in Georgia.
The tournament takes place from the 31st May – 18th June, with Ireland playing their Pool games in Kutaisi, before moving to Tbilisi for the knock-out stages.
Ireland share Pool B with Italy, New Zealand and Scotland.
The 28 man squad will be captained by Lansdowne's Paul Boyle.
There are some new faces in the squad, with U19s players Jordan Duggan, Angus Curtis, David McCarthy, Alan Tynan and Michael Sylvester all being named.
On confirmation of the squad Peter Malone said:
"It's an exciting time for these players, as they will all be experiencing a World Championship for the first time. It's a great opportunity for them, to go out and pit themselves against their peers from around the world.
We've lost a number of players who were involved during the Six Nations through injury, so it's very unlucky for those guys not to be involved, but it gives other players the chance to wear the green jersey on the world stage.
We're in a really strong pool with Italy and Scotland who made us work really hard for wins during the Six Nations, and then New Zealand who will have a number of players back from last year's tournament so they will be a huge test for us.”
At the squad announcement, Feargal O'Rourke, Managing Partner, PwC, said
"As a long time sponsor of Irish Rugby, we're delighted to support the U20 team in this year's World Rugby U20 Championship.
Talent, teamwork and a pursuit of excellence are the hallmarks of this team, following in the footsteps of their predecessors, and it is these shared values that have made our partnership with the IRFU so successful over the last 11 years.
The team are great ambassadors for the country, for Irish Rugby and for PwC Ireland and we wish them the best of luck in Georgia in the upcoming games."
Ireland will open their campaign against Six Nations rivals Italy on Wednesday 31st May in the Kutaisi Stadium. They will then meet Scotland on Sunday 4th June and their final Pool B game takes place against New Zealand, who Ireland defeated for the first time during last year's Championship, on Thursday the 8th of June.
Ireland U-20 Squad (World Rugby U20 Championship 2017)
Forwards
Paul Boyle (Lansdowne FC/Leinster) Captain
Charlie Connolly (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
Joey Conway (UL Bohemians RFC/Munster)
Gavin Coombes (Young Munster RFC/Munster)
Peter Cooper (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Caelan Doris (St. Mary's College RFC/Leinster)
Oisin Dowling (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
Jordan Duggan (Naas RFC/Leinster)*
John Foley (Shannon RFC/Munster)
Ronan Kelleher (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Sean Masterson (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
Tadgh McElroy (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
Greg McGrath (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
Marcus Rea (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
Jack Regan (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster RFC/Munster)
Backs
Angus Curtis (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster)*
Conor Dean (UCD RFC/Leinster)*
Ciaran Frawley (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Colm Hogan (Dublin University FC/Munster)
Jack Kelly (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
David McCarthy (Garryowen FC/Munster)*
Gavin Mullin (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Calvin Nash (Young Munster/Munster)
Jack Stafford (Shannon RFC/Munster)
Jonathan Stewart (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
Michael Silvester (Dublin University FC/Leinster)*
Alan Tynan (Young Munster/Munster)*
Unavailable due to injury
Cillian Gallagher
Bill Johnston
Jordan Larmour
Johnny McPhillips
Tommy O'Brien
Ireland U20 World Rugby U20 Championships Fixtures
Pool B
Ireland v Italy
Kutaisi Stadium, Kutaisi
Wednesday 31st May, 2017
KO: 15:30 (local) / 12:30 (Irish)
Ireland v Scotland
Kutaisi Stadium, Kutaisi
Sunday 4th June, 2017
KO: 13:00 (local) / 10:00 (Irish)
Ireland v New Zealand
Kutaisi Stadium, Kutaisi
Thursday 8th June, 2017
KO: 15:30 (local) / 12:30 (Irish)
Semi-Finals
Avchala Stadium OR Mikheil Meskhi Stadium
Tuesday 13th June 2017
Play-Offs
Avchala Stadium OR Mikheil Meskhi Stadium
Sunday 18th June 2017