Tighthead prop Sam Bishti will captain Ireland Under-20s in Friday night's challenge against South Africa in Cork, with head coach Andrew Browne naming a youthful squad for the visit of the defending world champions.
Bishti, who skippered Blackrock College to their Leinster Schools Senior Cup success in March, has been playing with UCD in the Energia All Ireland League this season.
Just three of the matchday squad are returning U20 internationals from last season, with second row Donnacha McGuire, wing Charlie Molony and out-half Tom Wood - son of former Ireland captain Keith - all in the starting XV.
Wood is part of an all-Munster half-back pairing, with UCC's Christopher Barrett.
Head coach Browne will lead the coaching team for the 2026 U20 Six Nations before the arrival of Cullie Tucker as the new boss ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The provincial breakdowns sees 11 Leinster-based players in the squad, with six from Munster, four from Connacht, one from Ulster, as well as Durham University's Fergus Callington, who has come through the Irish Qualified (IQ Rugby) system.
Ireland U20 (v South Africa): Noah Byrne; Charlie Molony, Sean Walsh, James O'Leary, Daniel Ryan; Tom Wood, Christopher Barrett, Max Doyle, Lee Fitzpatrick, Sam Bishti (capt); Donnacha McGuire, Dylan McNiece; Joe Finn, Arthur Ashmore, Diarmuid O'Connell
Replacements: Rian Handley, Christian Foley, Blake McClean, Sean Walsh, Michael O'Sullivan, Fergus Callington, Conor O'Shaughnessy, Johnny O'Sullivan
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