IRELAND U20 COACH Noel McNamara will be without key men for next month’s World Rugby U20 Championship in Argentina.
Injury will deprive the Grand Slam winners of out-half Harry Byrne, Leinster openside Scott Penny, wing Conor McPhillips and centre David Hawkshaw – captain during the Six Nations campaign – for what will be a testing pool against England, Australia and Italy from 4 June.
The 33-man squad, which will be reduced to 28 ahead of the trip, features six uncapped players. Second row Charlie Ryan will captain the squad for this tour after skippering the side who sealed the Grand Slam with a win in Wales.
“History has shown us that this is an attritional competition,” said McNamara, “and it’s important that anyone who may take to the field in Argentina is up to speed with how want to play.
“With that in mind we have named an extended squad ahead of setting off in two weeks’ time.
“We have had some really positive sessions since the Six Nations, and with another camp coming up next week we will continue to build on preparations ahead of the first game against England.”
Extended Ireland U20 Squad (World Rugby U20 Championship 2019)
(*denotes uncapped at this level)
Forwards
Declan Adamson (Clontarf/Leinster) *
Thomas Ahern (Shannon/Munster) *
Azur Allison (Ballymena/Ulster) *
Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)
Tom Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster)
Brian Deeny (Clontarf/Leinster)
John Hodnett (UCC/ Munster)
David McCann (Banbridge/Ulster)
John McKee (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Michael Milne (UCD/Leinster)
Martin Moloney (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Niall Murray (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Callum Reid (Banbridge/Ulster)
Charlie Ryan (UCD/Leinster) Captain
Dylan Tierney-Martin (Corinthians/Connacht)
Charlie Ward (Clontarf/Leinster) *
Ronan Watters (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
Josh Wycherley (Young Munster/Munster)
Backs
Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster) Vice-Captain
Jake Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
Cormac Foley (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
Sean French (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Ben Healy (Garryowen/Munster)
Bruce Houston (Ballymena/Ulster)
Iwan Hughes (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Angus Kernohan (Queen’s University/Ulster)
Adam LaGrue (Terenure College/Leinster) *
Stewart Moore (Malone/Ulster) *
Colm Reilly (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Rob Russell (Dublin University/Leinster)
Liam Turner (Dublin University/Leinster)
Jonathan Wren (Cork Constitution/Munster)
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