NOEL MCNAMARA HAS named a 32-man squad for the 2018 U20 Six Nations featuring 11 players who were capped across last season’s U20 Six Nations and U20 World Championships.
Prop Jordan Duggan, hookers Ronan Kelleher and Diarmuid Barron, along with back-row Sean Masterson all featured among the forwards last season.
The returning backs include scrum-half Jonny Stewart, out-half Conor Dean, centres Angus Curtis, David McCarthy and Tommy O’Brien, as well as Mark Keane and Michael Silvester in the back three.
Speaking after making his selection, head coach Noel McNamara said:
“It’s an exciting time for the players and the coaching team.
“There have been some tight calls across the board and it’s great to see that competition for places. Also, with 11 players who were involved last season, there is some good experience across the squad.
“The players have all been working hard over the past number of months and we’re confident in the ability of the squad that we have selected.”
The Irish side will open their Six Nations campaign against France U20s on 2 February.
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).
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