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Three changes for Ireland Under-20s to take on Italy

7 February 2026; The Ireland team huddle after the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between France and Ireland at Stade Amie Giral in Perpignan, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Ireland suffered a heavy defeat at Stade Amie Giral in Perpignan

Ireland Under-20s coach Andrew Browne has made three changes to his side to take on Italy in Cork in Virgin Media Park on Friday night (7.45pm).

There's one switch in the backline to the side that lost 50-21 to France with Munster's Rob Carney coming in for Johnny O'Sullivan at second centre.

Leinster's Lee Fitzpatrick comes in for Rian Handley at hooker, while Joe Finn of Munster is named in the back row for Billy Hayes.

Josh Neill moves from the blindside to the openside for the visit of Italy, who lost 36-10 to Scotland last weekend.

Noah Byrne, Derry Moloney and Daniel Ryan start in Ireland's back three, with James O'Leary partnering Carney in midfield. Christopher Barrett and Tom Wood continue in the half-backs at scrum-half and out-half respectively.

In the pack, Max Doyle, Fitzpatrick and Sami Bishti are in the front row, with Dylan McNeice and Donnacha McGuire in the engine room. Finn is selected at blindside flanker, Neill switches to openside and Diarmaid O'Connell completes the back row at number 8.

On the bench, Handley, Christian Foley, Blake McClean, Ben Blaney, Hayes, James O'Dwyer, Charlie O'Shea and O'Sullivan complete the matchday squad.

There are 12 Leinster, eight Munster, two Connacht and one Ulster player in the 23.


Ireland U20s:

15. Noah Byrne (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
14. Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
13. Rob Carney (Cashel RFC/Munster)
12. James O'Leary (UCC/Munster)
11. Daniel Ryan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
10. Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/Munster)
9. Christopher Barrett (UCC RFC/Munster)

1. Max Doyle (UCD RFC/Leinster)
2. Lee Fitzpatrick (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
3. Sami Bishti (UCD RFC/Leinster) (capt)
4. Dylan McNeice (UCD RFC/Leinster)
5. Donnacha McGuire (UCD RFC/Leinster)
6. Joe Finn (Garryowen FC/Munster)
7. Josh Neill (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
8. Diarmaid O’Connell (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)

Replacements:

16. Rian Handley (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
17. Christian Foley (Young Munster RFC/Munster)
18. Blake McClean (Instonians RFC/Ulster)
19. Ben Blaney (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
20. Billy Hayes (Garryowen FC/Munster)
21. James O’Dwyer (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
22. Charlie O’Shea (UCC RFC/Munster)
23. Johnny O’Sullivan (Dublin University FC/Leinster).


Watch Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on Friday from 7.25pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Watch Scotland v England on RTÉ Player

Follow a live blog on Ireland v Italy in the Six Nations on Saturday from 2.10pm on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1

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