Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

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

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

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, with Rob Carney, Lee Fitzpatrick and Joe Finn coming into the team.

Rugby • 11 Feb

Dylan McNeice of Ireland during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between France and Ireland at Stade Amie Giral in Perpignan, France. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Eight-try France too strong for Ireland U20s

A tough 72 hours for Irish rugby was compounded in Perpignan as Andrew Browne's Under-20s lost 50-21 to defending champions France in their Six Nations opener.

Rugby • 07 Feb

14 November 2025; Sam Bishti of Ireland celebrates during the U20 Challenge Match between Ireland and South Africa at Virgin Media Park in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Bishti named captain as Ireland U20 squad confirmed

Leinster's academy prop Sam Bishti has been confirmed as captain for Ireland Under-20s in the 2026 Six Nations Championship, after head coach Andrew Browne named a 29-player squad for the early rounds of the tournament.

Rugby • 20 Jan

Eoghan Smyth of Ireland is tackled by Baptiste Tilloles of France

Ireland U20s no match for French power in Cork

Ireland's U20s endured another difficult night as they fell to a third defeat from four in the 2025 Six Nations, going down 22-12 to a powerful France side in Cork.

Rugby • 07 Mar 25

U20 Six Nations: Ireland 12-22 France - recap

Follow our minute by minute by minute coverage as Ireland host France in the U20 Six Nations in Cork.

Rugby • 07 Mar 25

Ireland will be without powerful prop Alex Usanov

Usanov out as Ireland U20s change three for Scotland

Ireland's U20s will be without Leinster loosehead Alex Usanov as they look to get their Six Nations Championship back on track against Scotland on Saturday (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player).

Rugby • 06 Feb 25

Neil Doak has named a 31-man squad for the Under-20 Six Nations

Doak names McCarthy as captain for U20 Six Nations

Connacht back row Éanna McCarthy has been confirmed as captain for the Ireland Under-20s, as head coach Neil Doak named a 31-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations Championship.

Rugby • 15 Jan 25

Ireland remain unbeaten and in with a chance to win the title

Ireland U20s set sights on 'best performance yet'

While their own destiny is out of their hands, Ireland Under-20s task is simple: beat Scotland and sit back and hope France can deny England.

Rugby • 13 Mar 24

Flanker Bryn Ward was one of Ireland's standout performers

Ireland U20s snatch draw against England with late try

Ireland's hopes of a third successive U20 Six Nations Grand Slam title are over, but Richie Murphy's side can still retain the championship, after a dramatic 32-32 draw away to England.

Rugby • 08 Mar 24

U20 Six Nations: England 32-32 Ireland - recap

Follow our minute by minute coverage as Ireland continue their bid for a third consecutive U20 Six Nations Grand Slam, when they face England in Bath.

Rugby • 08 Mar 24

Ireland have beaten France, Italy and Wales

No title talk as Murphy names U20s team to face England

It's first against second in the table with just two rounds left but the Ireland Under-20 camp are not talking about titles ahead of their meeting with England

Rugby • 06 Mar 24

U20 Six Nations: Ireland 43-8 Wales recap

Relive all the action from Musgrave Park as Ireland Under-20s looked to extend their winning run as Wales come to Cork.

Rugby • 23 Feb 24

Hugo McLaughlin will win his third cap against Wales

Italy scare to focus Ireland U20 minds for Wales visit

After getting out of jail in a narrow win over Italy last time out, Ireland's Under-20s are targetting an 80-minute performance against Wales this evening.

Rugby • 23 Feb 24

Patreece Bell: 'I've enjoyed coming over here and experiencing a different type of environment'

'Buzzing' Bell impressed by Ireland plan

Former England U18 forward Patreece Bell is "buzzing" ahead of his first start for Ireland's U20s against Wales on Friday.

Rugby • 22 Feb 24

Richie Murphy's side have won their opening two games

Murphy never going to 'walk out' on Under-20s

Richie Murphy was never going to leave Ireland Under-20s in the middle of their Six Nations campaign, according to Aaron Dundon.

Rugby • 21 Feb 24

Sean Edogbo is rewarded for his try-scoring exploits against Italy with a first Six Nations start for the visit of Wales

All-new Irish U20s front row for visit of Wales

Ireland head coach Richie Murphy has named an all-new front row for Friday night's U20 Six Nations clash against Wales at Virgin Media Park (kick-off 7.15pm).

Rugby • 21 Feb 24

U20 Six Nations: Ireland 23-22 Italy - Recap

Follow our minute by minute coverage as Ireland look to make it two wins out of two in the U20 Six Nations championship, as they host Italy in Cork.

Rugby • 09 Feb 24

Ian Keatley has stepped in as attack coach for the Ireland U20s this year

Keatley pushing U20s' drive for further success

Ireland may be chasing a third Under-20s Six Nations Grand Slam in a row, but it wasn't long ago that silverware was a rarity.

Rugby • 09 Feb 24

Gleeson (middle) is out with an ankle injury

Ireland U20s sweating on Gleeson ankle injury

Ireland U20 head coach Richie Murphy is sweating on the fitness of influential number 8 Brian Gleeson, with the Munster back row carrying an ankle injury.

Rugby • 07 Feb 24

Ireland are looking for a 12th consecutive U20 Six Nations victory

Three changes as Ireland U20s name team for Italy

Brian Gleeson will miss Ireland's U20 Six Nations meeting with Italy on Friday night, as head coach Richie Murphy makes three changes to his side from their impressive 37-31 win against France on Saturday.

Rugby • 09 Feb 24

Evan O'Connell (right) leads Ireland against France

Evan O'Connell to captain Ireland U20s in France

Evan O'Connell will captain the Ireland U20s for their opening match of the U20 Six Nations against France in Aix-en-Provence on Saturday night.

Rugby • 01 Feb 24

Joe Hopes is one of four players who featured for the U20s last season

Hopes and Murphy kicking on for Ireland U20s

From centre-half to rugby full-back and then into the engine room, Joe Hopes has had quite the journey to the Ireland U20 squad.

Rugby • 27 Jan 24

Evan O'Connell: 'I'd like to think I'd be very approachable as a captain'

Peter O'Mahony the role model for Evan O'Connell

Evan O'Connell may have had an obvious role model in his youth but it's the new senior Ireland captain that the U20s skipper most looked up to.

Rugby • 29 Jan 24

Hugh Gavin: 'The first game is a big game for lads that haven't got selected at that level'

Ireland U20s veteran Gavin eager to lead the way

If there's any such thing as a veteran at Under-20s level then Ireland's Hugh Gavin fits the bill.

Rugby • 23 Jan 24

Richie Murphy: 'They haven't won anything as a team'

Murphy: No three-in-a-row talk for Ireland U20s

Ireland U20s boss Richie Murphy says there is no talk of three-in-a-row in the camp because it simply doesn't apply to his team.

Rugby • 17 Jan 24