Ireland U-20s Step Up Six Nations Preparations Ahead Of Return To Cork
The Ireland Under-20s have claimed back-to-back U-20 Six Nations Grand Slam titles in Cork ©INPHO/Ben Brady
The Ireland Under-20s, sponsored by PwC, will return to Musgrave Park in Cork for the 2024 Under-20 Six Nations, as Richie Murphy’s squad step up their preparations for the Championship in the coming weeks.
Musgrave Park has been a brilliant home for the Ireland U-20s since 2019, with Murphy’s side enjoying notable success at the Cork venue in recent years, memorably claiming back-to-back Grand Slam titles in front of sold-out crowds.
The upcoming Championship will see Ireland play three matches at Musgrave Park, with Italy visiting in round 2 on Friday, February 9 (kick-off 7.15pm), Wales in round 3 on Friday, February 23 (kick-off 7.15pm), and Scotland in the final round on Friday, March 15 (kick-off 7pm).
Tickets for all three matches are now on sale on Ticketmaster.ie.
In preparation for their upcoming Six Nations campaign, which begins for Ireland with a trip to Aix-en-Provence to face France on Saturday, February 3, head coach Murphy has assembled an extended squad of players at the IRFU High Performance Centre for a series of camps.
The squad will play three warm-up matches over the Christmas and New Year period, with the Italy Under-20s travelling to Dublin for a hit-out at the UCD Bowl this Friday (December 15) (kick-off 2pm).
The Ireland Under-20s will also go head-to-head with the Munster Development XV at Musgrave Park on Friday, December 29 (kick-off 1pm), and the Leinster Development team at Energia Park on Friday, January 5 (kick-off 1pm).
Speaking ahead of those games, Murphy said: “We have been busy laying the foundations for the season ahead with a series of preparatory camps at the HPC and we will step up the intensity with our usual run-outs over the Christmas period.
“They will serve as vital prep for the Six Nations ahead, and allow us to build cohesion and momentum through performances and minutes on the pitch together as a squad.”
On returning to Musgrave Park for the Championship, the head coach added: “It is great news that we will once again play our home matches in Cork, which has been such a good home to us in recent years.
“The people of Cork have been unbelievably supportive of the Ireland Under-20s, and the atmosphere they generate for us on a Friday night is invaluable.
“We, as a group, are looking forward to getting back down to Musgrave Park over Christmas for the warm-up game against Munster Development, and then in early February when we host Italy in the second match of the Six Nations. We have no doubt the support will be right behind the team again.”
The Ireland Under-20 squad for the 2024 Under-20 Six Nations will be announced on Wednesday, January 17.
Ireland Under-20 Fixtures – December/January:
- Friday, December 15: Ireland Under-20s v Italy Under-20s, UCD Bowl, 2pm
- Friday, December 29: Ireland Under-20s v Munster Development XV, Musgrave Park, 1pm
- Friday, January 5: Ireland Under-20s v Leinster Development XV, Energia Park, 1pm
Ireland Under-20 Fixtures – 2024 Under-20 Six Nations:
- Saturday, February 3: France Under-20s v Ireland Under-20s, Stade Maurice David, 9.10pm local time/8.10pm Irish time
- Friday, February 9: Ireland Under-20s v Italy Under-20s, Musgrave Park, 7.15pm
- Friday, February 23: Ireland Under-20s v Wales Under-20s, Musgrave Park, 7.15pm
- Friday, March 8: England Under-20s v Ireland Under-20s, Recreation Ground, 7.15pm
- Friday, March 15: Ireland Under-20s v Scotland Under-20s, Musgrave Park, 7pm