Ireland U20 2020

U20 6 Nations

Ireland V Scotland
31st Jan 7:15pm

Ireland V Wales
7th Feb 7:15pm

England V Ireland
21st Feb 7:45pm

Ireland V Italy
6th March 7:15pm

France V Ireland
13th March 8:00pm GMT


U20 World Championship - in Italy

Argentina V Ireland
28th June 8:00pm GMT

France V Ireland
3rd July 3:00pm GMT

Ireland V Japan
8th July 3:00pm GMT

Match day 4
13th July

Match day 5
18th July

First warm up game played today.


Smith Hat-Trick Propels Ireland Under-20s To Munster Win

The result was never going to be the primary indicator of the worth of this pre-season workout, but in running in six tries to record a 43-27 win over Munster Development and build valuable momentum, there was a lot to like about the performance from Noel McNamara’s Ireland Under-20s.

Following on from their second camp of the season, Ireland produced an impressive display in this annual challenge match at Irish Independent Park just five weeks out from their Under-20 Six Nations opener against Scotland at the Cork venue.

Winger Andrew Smith demonstrated his exciting potential with a hat-trick of tries but it was the composure and place-kicking of Jack Crowley, the Cork Constitution out-half, that stood out most in front of a large Sunday afternoon crowd.

With his forward pack, led by captain Thomas Clarkson and the dynamic Ulster Academy hooker Thomas Stewart, providing front-foot ball, Crowley pulled the strings for McNamara’s charges while scoring 13 points off the tee.

Ireland ran in six tries in all as they stepped up their preparations for the 2020 Championship, with their campaign getting underway against Scotland on Friday, January 31. Tickets are available to buy here.

Ethan McIlroy, who recently made his Ulster senior debut in the Guinness PRO14 against Leinster, Thomas Ahern and Harry O’Riordan also dotted down for Ireland, with Eoghan Clarke (2), Ronan Quinn and Jack Delaney getting on the scoresheet for Peter Malone’s Munster outfit.

Aided by a breeze blowing down the ground, Ireland enjoyed large tracts of possession and territory in the first period and with their pack providing clean and quick ball for scrum-half Lewis Finlay, McNamara’s side dictated the contest.


Smith capitalised on a handling error to set Ireland on their way in the fourth minute and after Crowley landed a superb long-range penalty from halfway, the lead was extended when McIlroy finished off a sweeping team move on the right.

Munster hooker Clarke kept the home side in touch with a close-range finish after a powerful rolling maul but two tries in quick succession from Ahern, against his native province, and O’Riordan ensured Ireland maintained their superiority.

The scoring continued apace either side of the interval as Quinn and then Clarke crossed to breathe life into a potential Munster fightback, but Smith’s second of the afternoon, following excellent work from fullback Oran McNulty down this near side, ended the hosts’ interest.

As McNamara used the opportunity to give his extended bench game time, there was no let-up from Ireland as Smith again showed his pace to streak clear to complete his hat-trick, with Crowley’s conversion from the touchline slipping just left.

Munster finished the game strongly and completed the scoring through centre Delaney, but it was McNamara’s side who will take the most from the hit-out as they build towards the Six Nations.

IRELAND UNDER-20: 15. Oran McNulty (Corinthians RFC/Connacht), 14. Ethan McIlroy (Queens RFC/Ulster), 13. Harry O’Riordan (UCC RFC/Munster), 12. Hayden Hyde (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), 11. Andrew Smith (Clontarf FC/Leinster), 10. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution FC/Munster), 9. Lewis Finlay (Malone RFC/Ulster); 1. Marcus Hannan (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), 2. Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), 3. Tom Clarkson (Dublin University FC/Leinster)(captain), 4. Brian Deeny (Clontarf FC/Leinster), 5. Thomas Ahern (Shannon RFC/Munster), 6. Sean O’Brien (UCD RFC/Leinster), 7. Mark Hernan (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), 8. Joshua Dunne (Galwegians RFC/Connacht).

Replacements used: John McKee for Stewart, Harry Noonan for Hannan, Charlie Ward for Clarkson, Max O’Reilly for McNulty (all 51 mins), Joe McCarthy for Ahern, Alex Soroka for Hernan, Cathal Forde for Crowley, Diarmuid Kilgallen for McIlroy (all 58), Conor McKee for Finlay (62).

Squad going to be announced next Monday. France, Argentina and Japan are in our group in the summers U20 championship starting in late June.

Ireland Under-20 2020 Six Nations Squad:
Forwards (20):

Loosehead
Charlie Ward (Tullow RFC / Clontarf FC / Leinster)
Marcus Hannan (Clane RFC / Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster)
Harry Noonan (Greystones RFC / Old Wesley RFC / Leinster)

Hooker
Tom Stewart (Belfast Royal Academy / Ballynahinch RFC / Ulster)
John McKee (Campbell College / Old Belvedere / Leinster)
Bobby Sheehan (Clongowes Wood College / UCD RFC / Leinster)

Tighthead
Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College / Dublin University FC / Leinster)
Ryan McMahon (Clongowes Wood College / Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster)

Secondrow
Brian Deeny (Wexford Wanderers / Clontarf FC / Leinster)
Eoin O’Connor (Waterpark RFC / Young Munster RFC / Munster)
Thomas Ahern (Waterpark RFC / Shannon RFC / Munster)
Joe McCarthy (Blackrock College / Dublin University FC / Leinster)
Alex Soroka (Belvedere College / Dublin University FC / Leinster)

Backrow
Cian Prendergast (Newbridge College / UCD RFC / Leinster)
Cian Hurley (CBC Cork / Garryowen FC / Munster)
Sean O’Brien (Blackrock College / UCD RFC / Leinster)
Mark Hernan (St Michael’s College / Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
Anthony Ryan (Clongowes Wood College / Dublin University FC / Leinster)
David McCann (RBAI / Banbridge RFC / Ulster)
Joshua Dunne (Denstone College / Galwegians RFC / Connacht).


Backs (17):

ScrumHalf
Lewis Finlay (Down High School / Malone RFC / Ulster)
Ben Murphy (Presentation College Bray / Clontarf FC / Leinster)
Conor McKee (Sullivan Upper School / Queens RFC / Ulster)

Outhalf
Jack Crowley (Bandon RFC / Cork Constitution FC / Munster)
Cathal Forde (Coláiste Iognáid / Corinthians RFC / Connacht)
Tim Corkery (Kilkenny RFC / Lansdowne FC / Leinster)

Wing
Andrew Smith (St Michael’s College / Clontarf FC / Leinster)
Niall Comerford (Blackrock College / UCD RFC / Leinster)
Ethan McIlroy (Methody College / Queens RFC / Ulster)
Diarmuid Kilgallen (Cistercian College Roscrea / Galwegians RFC / Connacht)

Center
Hayden Hyde (Cranleigh School / Ballynahinch RFC / Ulster)
Ben Moxham (Ballymena RFC / Ballymena RFC / Ulster)
Harry O’Riordan (CBC Cork / UCC RFC / Munster)
Luis Faria (Newpark Comprehensive / Dublin University FC / Leinster)

Fullback
Dan Kelly (Kirkham Grammar / Loughborogh University / IQ Rugby)
Oran McNulty (Millfield School / Corinthians RFC / Connacht)
Max O’Reilly (St Gerard’s / Dublin University FC / Leinster).


20 Leinster
7 Ulster
5 Munster
4 Connacht

Player profiles are up.
https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/team/ireland-u20/#squad

Ireland Under-20 Team (v Scotland):
15. Oran McNulty (Millfield School / Corinthians RFC / Connacht)
14. Ethan McIlroy (Methody College / Queens RFC / Ulster)
13. Dan Kelly (Kirkham Grammar / Loughborogh University / IQ Rugby)
12. Hayden Hyde (Cranleigh School / Ballynahinch RFC / Ulster)
11. Andrew Smith (St Michael’s College / Clontarf FC / Leinster)
10. Jack Crowley (Bandon RFC / Cork Constitution FC / Munster)
9. Lewis Finlay (Down High School / Malone RFC / Ulster)

1. Charlie Ward (Tullow RFC / Clontarf FC / Leinster)
2. Tom Stewart (Belfast Royal Academy / Ballynahinch RFC / Ulster)
3. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College / Dublin University FC / Leinster)
4. Brian Deeny (Wexford Wanderers / Clontarf FC / Leinster)
5. Thomas Ahern (Waterpark RFC / Shannon RFC / Munster)
6. Sean O’Brien (Blackrock College / UCD RFC / Leinster)
7. Mark Hernan (St Michael’s College / Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
8. David McCann (RBAI / Banbridge RFC / Ulster)(captain)

Replacements:

16. John McKee (Campbell College / Old Belvedere / Leinster)
17. Ciaran Ryan (Rockwell College / Cashel RFC / Munster)
18. Ryan McMahon (Clongowes Wood College / Old Belvedere RFC / Leinster)
19. Joe McCarthy (Blackrock College / Dublin University FC / Leinster)
20. Alexis Soroka (Belvedere College / Dublin University FC / Leinster)
21. Ben Murphy (Presentation College Bray / Clontarf FC / Leinster)
22. Tim Corkery (Kilkenny RFC / Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
23. Luis Faria (Newpark Comprehensive / Dublin University FC / Leinster)


Good side. Could surprise a few teams again this year.

Finished 38-28 to the good guys.


Strange game. The Scots seemed to have more of the ball but we got a few break away tries. Some of them are a must watch.


The scots dominated the scrums and their hooker, Ashman, was e excellent. They're not bad this year.


I was impressed by Finlay. Hardly put a foot wrong all game in difficult conditions.
Ahern lived up to the hype. He is nearly Toners height and out sprinted a defender to score.


Lots to work on for next week.

profitius wrote:Player profiles are up.
https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/team/ireland-u20/#squad

Some very tall players this year, though not too heavy. Good win for Ireland U20.

Seems grunt is being sacrificed to mobility - the eternal struggle of emphasis for small player pool Nations.

That scrum will need some BIG improvements to compliment the slicker stuff if Ireland want to win things in this contest.

The U20s are a development side - nobody really cares (other than their Mums) if they win. I agree with Prof that there are some very good prospects in the ranks.

Developing whilst winning is a good habit though as it might develop a winnng mentality.

IRELAND UNDER-20 Team & Replacements (v Wales, 2020 Under-20 Six Nations Championship, Irish Independent Park, Friday, February 7, kick-off 7.15pm):
15. Oran McNulty (Millfield School/Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
14. Ben Moxham (Larne High School/Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
13. Dan Kelly (Kirkham Grammar/Loughborough University/IQ Rugby)
12. Hayden Hyde (Cranleigh School/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
11. Andrew Smith (St. Michael’s College/Clontarf FC/Leinster)
10. Jack Crowley (Bandon RFC/Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
9. Lewis Finlay (Down High School/Malone RFC/Ulster)
1. Marcus Hanan (Clane RFC/Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
2. Tom Stewart (Belfast Royal Academy/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
3. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Dublin University FC/Leinster)
4. Thomas Ahern (Waterpark RFC/Shannon RFC/Munster)
5. Brian Deeny (Wexford Wanderers RFC/Clontarf FC/Leinster)
6. Sean O’Brien (Blackrock College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
7. Mark Hernan (St. Michael’s College/Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
8. David McCann (RBAI/Banbridge RFC/Ulster) (capt)

Replacements:

16. John McKee (Campbell College/Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
17. Harry Noonan (Greystones RFC/Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
18. Charlie Ward (Tullow RFC/Clontarf FC/Leinster)
19. Joe McCarthy (Blackrock College/Dublin University FC/Leinster)
20. Cian Prendergast (Newbridge College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
21. Ben Murphy (Presentation College Bray/Clontarf FC/Leinster)
22. Tim Corkery (Kilkenny RFC/Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
23. Luis Faria (Newpark Comprehensive/Dublin University FC/Leinster)


A few changes but the core of the team remains.

Good win last night. Stewart was my motm, he seemed to pop up everywhere and must have made a lot of meters.

Some really sloppy play at times but good win overall. 8 tries scored between both teams in that weather was good going.

Yes Agreed the hooker hit the ball with real pace and the lineup was always secure a few more pounds in years to come and he will be a real asset for Ulster and Ireland. The other picks for me were the open side flanker, tight head prop who took a lot of inside balls on, the Centre Kelly and the wing Andrew Smith who looked dangerous every time he touched the ball. The scrum is still an issue and this team is efficient on attack without dominating up front, they also left a lot of open space on the left a few times throughout the game, but given the wind and conditions a good performance with some quality coming through in the years ahead.

IRELAND UNDER-20 Team & Replacements (v England Under-20s, 2020 Under-20 Six Nations Championship, Franklin’s Gardens, Friday, February 21, kick-off 7.45pm):
15. Oran McNulty (Millfield School/Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
14. Ethan McIlroy (Methody College/Queens University RFC/Ulster)
13. Dan Kelly (Kirkham Grammar/Loughborough University/IQ Rugby)
12. Hayden Hyde (Cranleigh School/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
11. Andrew Smith (St. Michael’s College/Clontarf FC/Leinster)
10. Jack Crowley (Bandon RFC/Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
9. Lewis Finlay (Down High School/Malone RFC/Ulster)

1. Marcus Hanan (Clane RFC/Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
2. John McKee (Campbell College/Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
3. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Dublin University FC/Leinster)
4. Thomas Ahern (Waterpark RFC/Shannon RFC/Munster)
5. Brian Deeny (Wexford Wanderers RFC/Clontarf FC/Leinster)
6. Alex Soroka (Belvedere College/Dublin University FC/Leinster)
7. Sean O’Brien (Blackrock College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
8. David McCann (RBAI/Banbridge RFC/Ulster) (captain)

Replacements:

16. Tom Stewart (Belfast Royal Academy/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
17. Harry Noonan (Greystones RFC/Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
18. Charlie Ward (Tullow RFC/Clontarf FC/Leinster)
19. Joe McCarthy (Blackrock College/Dublin University FC/Leinster)
20. Cian Prendergast (Newbridge College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
21. Ben Murphy (Presentation College Bray/Clontarf FC/Leinster)
22. Tim Corkery (Kilkenny RFC/Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
23. Max O’Reilly (St Gerard’s School/Dublin University FC/Leinster)

Another excellent full points performance from McNamara & Co. Back to back Triple Crowns. A result against Italy should win them the title.

Haven’t been able to watch this one yet hopefully someone will post it up on youtube this week sounds like a great performance.

Make a point of watching it - McNamara's band is the best in all the land.

He is getting them to play seamless team rugby where new guys like Soroka come in and know immediately what their role is. If a talisman like Ahern is having a quiet game, Deeny steps up to fill the gap. McCann was constantly directing and at every breakdown the players reset in perpetual motion.

Oh! a credit to Ould Ireland, boys, is McNamara's Band!

Great performance from the team especially the first half. Beat Italy and the grand slam is on for the second year in a row. Italy are good though so it won't be easy and going to france will be tough although france don't look as strong as in the previous 2 years.


England were missing a few in fairness though we were too. Silver lining on the weekend after the Twickenham "performance".

If you gents can cast your minds back a few weeks what did you make of the Irish OC Dan Kelly?

A Loughborough Uni Students player last season he's confirmed as joining the Tigers development squad for next season whilst continuing his studies at (and probably still playing for) Loughborough University (Loughborough is in North Leicestershire so the commute to Tigers training ground is about 30 minutes).

formerly known as Sam wrote:If you gents can cast your minds back a few weeks what did you make of the Irish OC Dan Kelly?

A Loughborough Uni Students player last season he's confirmed as joining the Tigers development squad for next season whilst continuing his studies at (and probably still playing for) Loughborough University (Loughborough is in North Leicestershire so the commute to Tigers training ground is about 30 minutes).

He was very good. Looks like a good all rounder. Intelligent player. Qualified for U20s again next year.

profitius wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:If you gents can cast your minds back a few weeks what did you make of the Irish OC Dan Kelly?

A Loughborough Uni Students player last season he's confirmed as joining the Tigers development squad for next season whilst continuing his studies at (and probably still playing for) Loughborough University (Loughborough is in North Leicestershire so the commute to Tigers training ground is about 30 minutes).

He was very good. Looks like a good all rounder. Intelligent player. Qualified for U20s again next year.

Cheers. At 6ft and 15 stone at his age he should be quite a unit. A lot of Tigers fans are very much hoping he can slot in at 12 which is a problem position for us over the next couple of years.