IRELAND HAVE BEEN dealt a double blow ahead of the World Rugby U20 Championship in France next week.
Number eight Jack O’Sullivan and tighthead Tom O’Toole have sustained knee injuries (O’Toole’s during Ulster’s win over Ospreys) and have been ruled out of the tournament.
Both men put in impressive performances during the U20 Six Nations campaign, but Ireland will miss their power as they face into matches against France, South Africa and Georgia in the coming fortnight.
O’Sullivan will be replaced in Noel McNamara’s squad by fellow Munster man, Garryowen’s Jack Daly, who has represented Ireland Clubs and Schools at U18 level.
The void in the front row will be filled by UCC’s Bryan O’Connor, who will also be aiming for his U20 debut after representing Ireland U19s last year.
Ireland’s campaign opens against the hosts in Perpignan on 30 May (kick-off 8pm) and the quick turnarounds kick in as they must face South Africa on 3 June and Georgia on 7 June. Eir Sport will broadcast the games.
Updated Ireland U20 squad
Forwards
Matthew Agnew (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
Jack Aungier (St. Mary’s College RFC/Leinster)
Diarmuid Barron (Garryowen FC/Munster)
Joe Byrne (Dublin University/Leinster) *
Matthew Dalton (Malone RFC/Ulster)
Cormac Daly (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
Jack Daly (Garryowen FC/Munster) *
Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College RFC/Leinster) Captain
Jordan Duggan (Naas RFC/Leinster)
Jack Dunne (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
Joe Dunleavy (Malone RFC/Ulster)
James French (UCC/Munster)
Aaron Hall (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
Bryan O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster) *
Charlie Ryan (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Dan Sheehan (Dublin University FC/Leinster) *
Backs
Harry Byrne (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Conor Dean (St. Mary’s College RFC/Leinster)
Dan Hurley (Young Munster RFC/Munster) *
James Hume (Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
Sean O’Brien (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
Hugh O’Sullivan (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
Tom Roche (Lansdowne FC/Leinster) *
Michael Silvester (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
Jonny Stewart (QUB RFC/Ulster)
Peter Sylvester (UCC RFC / Munster) *
Tommy O’Brien (UCD RFC/Leinster)
James McCarthy (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)
