New head coach Neil Doak has announced his Ireland Under-20 men's team for Thursday's Six Nations opener against England at Virgin Media Park (kick-off 7.45pm), with Connacht academy forward Éanna McCarthy captaining the side.
The XV sees nine Leinster players named, with two each from Connacht, Munster and Ulster.
Cork-born McCarthy captained the Munster Under-19s last season on the back of leading CBC Cork in the Munster Schools Senior Cup in 2023.
He featured for the Ireland Under-19s in their two clashes with France last Easter and also gained valuable experience with UCC in the All-Ireland League, before being part of the Connacht academy’s year-one intake announced in August.
Charlie Molony, Derry Moloney and Ciaran Mangan start in the back three, with Eoghan Smyth and Connor Fahy forming the midfield partnership. Clark Logan is named at scrum-half, with Sam Wisniewski selected at out-half.
In the pack, Alex Usanov, Henry Walker and Alex Mullan – all of whom featured for Ireland U20s last season – start in the front row, with Mahon Ronan and Billy Corrigan, another player back from last year, named in the engine room.
Michael Foy is selected at blindside flanker, Bobby Power at openside and captain McCarthy completing the starting team at number 8.
On the bench, Connor Magee, Billy Bohan, Tom McAllister, David Walsh and Oisin Minogue provide the forward replacements, with backs Andrew Doyle, Gene O’Leary Kareem and Daniel Green completing the matchday 23.
Ireland U20s: Charlie Molony; Derry Moloney, Connor Fahy, Eoghan Smyth, Ciaran Mangan; Sam Wisniewski, Clark Logan; Alex Usanov, Henry Walker, Alex Mullan; Mahon Ronan, Billy Corrigan; Michael Foy, Bobby Power, Éanna McCarthy (capt).
Replacements: Connor Magee, Billy Bohan, Tom McAllister, David Walsh, Oisin Minogue, Andrew Doyle, Gene O'Leary Kareem, Daniel Green.
Watch Scotland U20s v Italy U20s on Friday from 7.05pm on RTÉ Player. Watch Scotland v Italy in the Guinness Six Nations on Saturday from 1.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
