Coach Nigel Carolan is banking on experience to carry his side through as Ireland Under-20s begin their World Cup campaign against Argentina in Parma, Italy (KO 3.30pm Irish time) today.
Six of Carolan’s starting XV were part of the team that finished fourth at last year’s competition, and it would have been seven starters but for winger Ciaran Gaffney’s late withdrawal this morning due to an ankle injury.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport, Carolan said: “It’s great to have that amount of experience back again. It means as coaches we can tend to move back a little bit more and let the players drive it.
“They can drive the sessions, they can drive the standards. It’s like a breath of fresh air to have those guys on board.
“The nature of these world championships, having five games in close proximity means it’s a real challenge in managing that. Time in between games is certainly a challenge.
“Those guys that have that experience certainly helps the whole process.”
After all preparations and build up to the tournament, Carolan said his side are champing at the bit to get the show on the road.
“We’ve been here since last Thursday and the lads have been really ready to go.
“For us it’s really about starting the campaign on a really positive note against Argentina so we’re really looking forward to getting going.”
Ireland will also be up against Scotland and New Zealand in their pool, with four semi-final places up for grabs from the three pools.
Ireland U20 (v Argentina): B Dardis; J Stockdale, G Ringrose, S Arnold, S Fitzgerald; J Carbery, N McCarthy (capt); J Loughman, Z McCall, O Heffernan; D O’Connor, A Thompson; J Murphy, R Moloney, L Dow
Replacements: S McNulty, A Porter, C O’Donnell, J Dwan, N Timoney, C Rock, T Quinlan, F Cleary.
