Irish stars of the future.
The Ireland U20 Six Nations squad was announced on Monday – and it’s packed full of exciting talent. Head coach Noel McNamara unveiled his 32-man panel which features 11 players who have already been capped at this level.
Such is the swell of emerging Irish talent, McNamara admitted that he was forced to make some tough decisions regarding his selection, with a number of promising players narrowly missing out on a call-up.
However, for those who made the cut, it’s certainly an important chapter in their young careers and, ahead of Ireland’s opening game away to France next Friday night, we thought it prudent to highlight some of the players worth keeping an eye out for throughout the tournament.
Jack Aungier
The hugely impressive St. Fintan’s prop has caught the eye ever since he made his Ireland U18s debut at 16. Bearing a physical resemblance to Cian Healy, Aungier will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow Leinster man Jordan Larmour, who shone for Nigel Carolan’s side at this tournament last year.
Jack Dunne
Almost a nailed-on second row starter, Dunne is looking to become the latest St. Michael’s alum lock to feature for the U20s in the Six Nations after Ross Molony, James Ryan, Oisin Dowling.
Jonny Stewart
Stewart made a real impression in the scrum-half berth during the U20 tournament last year, starting all five games, and has since made his debut for the Ulster senior side. The Queen’s University man, noted for his aggressive, athletic style of play, will be one to keep close tabs on this time around.
Tom O’Toole
The 19-year-old starred for Campbell College in the 2016 and 2017 Schools Cup. As a highly-rated prop with great mobility, he’s gunning to be one of the breakouts in McNamara’s squad after catching the eye for the Ulster A team in the British & Irish Cup.
Tommy O’Brien
He’s captain for a reason. The Blackrock College prospect has been involved with the Leinster seniors and has impressed over the course of the past year with his timing of tackles and intelligent positional play. Expected to be the heartbeat of this young Irish crop, we’re tipping O’Brien for a big tournament.
So, there you have it: two Jacks, two Toms and a Jonny. Ireland kick off their U20 Six Nations campaign against France in Pairs on Friday, 2 February. The match kicks-off at 8pm. Below is the Ireland squad in full:
Props: Jack Aungier (St. Mary’s/Leinster), Tom O’Toole (Banbridge/Ulster), Joe Byrne (Dublin University/Leinster), Jordan Duggan (Naas/Leinster), James French (UCC/Munster)
Hookers: Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster), Diarmuid Barron (Garryowen/Munster)
Locks: Cormac Daly (Clontarf/Leinster), Jack Dunne (Dublin University/Leinster), Charlie Ryan (UCD /Leinster), Ronan Coffey (Shannon/Munster), Matthew Dalton (Malone/Ulster)
Back rows: Jack O’Sullivan (UCC/Munster), Sean Masterson (Corinthians/Connacht), Max Kearney (Dublin University/Leinster), Aaron Hall (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Matthew Agnew (Ballymenia/Ulster), Joe Dunleavy (Malone/Ulster)
Halfbacks: Jonny Stewart (Queen’s University/Ulster), Hugh O’Sullivan (Clontarf /Leinster), Conor Dean (St. Mary’s/Leinster), Angus Curtis (Queen’s University/Ulster), Harry Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
Centres: Tommy O’Brien (UCD/Leinster) (captain), Sean O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster), David McCarthy (Garryowen/Munster)
Back threes: Michael Silvester (Dublin University/Leinster), Peter Sullivan (Lansdowne/Leinster), James McCarthy (UL Bohemian/Munster), Conor Hayes (Young Munster/Munster), Mark Keane (Queen’s University/Ulster), Angus Kernohan (Ballymena/Ulster).
