Carolan announces Ireland U-20 Squad for 6 Nations

An extended squad of 30 players has been named for the Ireland Under-20s, sponsored by PwC, ahead of their 2015 RBS U-20 6 Nations campaign and five Connacht players have been included.

Rory Moloney and Ciaran Gaffney build on their U20 experience after playing in last year’s 6 Nations and Junior World Championship respectively. Uncapped players Cian Romaine (lock), Conan O’Donnell (prop) and Stephen McVeigh (back row), are all part of the Connacht sub Academy.

The side will be captained by Nick McCarthy.

Speaking ahead of the Tournament, Head Coach Nigel Carolan said "The squad sees a great mixture of new faces and those with experience at this level from last season. We have been really impressed by the attitude of the players, both on and off the field. Their enthusiasm and attention to detail has been second to none.

"The warm up games against the provincial development sides over Christmas have provided the opportunity to develop our game and confirm the potential within our player group.

"We are looking forward to getting the campaign underway with our opening game away to Italy.”

Ireland have two home games this year, Ireland will take on France in Dubarry Park, Athlone on Friday, 13th February.

Ireland U20's will play their English counterparts in Donnybrook stadium on Friday 28th February, the first time the age grade play in the capital since 2005.

Ireland U-20 Squad, RBS 6 Nations 2015

Samuel Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster)

Harrison Brewer (Terenure/ Leinster)*

Ross Byrne (UCD RFC/ Leinster)*

Joey Carbery (UCD/ Leinster)

Fergal Cleary (Lansdowne / Leinster)

Jack Cullen (Shannon /Munster)*

Billy Dardis (UCD/Leinster) *

Lorcan Dow (Queens/Ulster)

Jack Dwan (Leinster)

Stephen Fitzgerald (Shannon/ Munster)

Ciaran Gaffney (Galwegians/Connacht) *

Oisin Heffernan (Terenure/Leinster)*

Michael Lagan (Ballymena/Ulster)

Jeremy Lougman (UCD/Leinster)

Zac McCall (Queens University/Ulster)

Nicolas McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)*

Sean McNulty (UCD/Munster)*

Stephen McVeigh (Buccaneers/Connacht)

Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/Connacht)*

Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster) *

David O'Connor (St. Mary's/Leinster)

Conan O'Donnell (Sligo/Connacht)

Conor Oliver (St. Mary's/Leinster)

Greg O'Shea (Shannon/Munster)

Jack Owens (Queens University/Ulster)

Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)*

Cian Romaine (Buccaneers/Connacht)

Jacob Stockdale (Queens University/Ulster)

Alexander Thompson (Queens University/Ulster)

Nick Timoney (St. Mary's/Leinster)

*Denotes previously capped at this level

Ireland Under-20 Management Team

Nigel Carolan - Head Coach

Colin McEntee - Assistant Coach / High Performance Manager

John Fogarty - Assistant Coach / Scrum Coach

Steven Aboud – Assistant Coach/ Head of Technical Direction

Hendrik Kruger - Team Manager

Sinéad Bennett - Squad Co-ordinator

Garrett Coughlan - Physio

Will Duggan - Doctor

Eamonn Flanagan - Strength and Conditioning Coach

Lar Hogan - Baggage Master

Gareth Rossi - Massage Therapist

Jim Herring - Performance Analyst

Maria Boland - Media Officer

 

RBS 6 Nations Ireland Under-20 Fixtures:

Fri 6 Feb 19:00     Italy U20 v Ireland U20    Stadio Pozzi Lamarmora

Fri 13 Feb 19:05 Ireland U20 v France U20 Dubarry Park

Fri 27 Feb 19:05 Ireland U20 v England U20 Donnybrook

Fri 13 Mar 19:45 Wales U20 v Ireland U20 Parc Eirias

Fri 20 Mar 19:30 Scotland U20 v Ireland U20 Netherdale