Ireland's U20 Head Coach Richie Murphy has selected his side to take on Wales in the opening game of the U20 Six Nations this Friday.
Three players who featured during last year’s Grand Slam-winning campaign start the game for the young Irish side.
Gus McCarthy captains Ireland from the front row. He's joined in the front pack by George Hadden and Paddy McCarthy.
Diarmuid Mangan and Conor O’Tighearnaigh start in the second row.
James McNabney, Ruadhán Quinn and Brian Gleeson get the nod in the back row.
Introducing the Ireland U20s Match Day Squad for Friday's U20 Six Nations opener against Wales! 🟢#FutureIsGreen | @PwCIreland
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 1, 2023
Hugh Cooney and John Devine start as a midfield partnership.
Sam Prendergast and Fintan Gunne start at 10 and 9.
Murphy has also selected a back three of James Nicholson at 15, Ike Anagu and Hugh Gavi on the wings.
Commenting ahead of the game, Murphy said: “We are excited to get the Six Nations underway in Wales on Friday night, following a good period of preparation for the group.
"The squad have come together well over the last couple of weeks, gelling both on and off the pitch, and we have now turned the focus this week to performance.”
The game in Colwyn Bay kicks off at 7pm this Friday.
The match is live on Virgin Media Two/BBC iPlayer.
Ireland U20s:
Fullack 15. James Nicholson (UCD/Leinster)
Winger: 14. Ike Anagu (La Rochelle/IQ Rugby)
Centres: 13. Hugh Cooney (Clontarf/Leinster), 12. John Devine (Corinthians/Connacht)
Winger: 11. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians/Connacht)
Out half: 10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster) Scrum half: 9. Fintan Gunne (Terenure/Leinster)
Front row: 1. George Hadden (Clontarf/Leinster), 2. Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)(captain), 3. Paddy McCarthy (DUFC/Leinster)
Second Row: 4. Diarmuid Mangan (UCD/Leinster) 5. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD/Leinster)
Back row: 6. James McNabney (Ballymena/Ulster), 7. Ruadhán Quinn (Old Crescent/Munster), 8. Brian Gleeson (Garryowen/Munster)
Replacements:
16. Danny Sheahan (UCC/Munster), 17. George Morris (Lansdowne/Leinster), 18. Fiachna Barrett (Corinthians/Connacht), 19. Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemians/Munster), 20. Jacob Sheahan (UCC/Munster), 21. Oscar Cawley (Naas/Leinster), 22. Harry West (Buccaneers/Connacht), 23. Henry McErlean (Terenure/Leinster).
