Under-20 Six Nations: Italy Under-20s v Ireland Under-20s

A buoyant Italy will provide a stern test for the Ireland Under-20s (sponsored by PwC), as Richie Murphy’s youngsters look to bounce back to winning ways in the U-20 Six Nations.

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2021 UNDER-20 SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP: Wednesday, July 7

ITALY UNDER-20s (4th) v IRELAND UNDER-20s (2nd), Cardiff Arms Park, 8pm (live RTÉ 2 & Player/NI, UK and other locations: YouTube/Facebook Live)

Team News: Ireland U-20 captain Alex Kendellen shifts to openside flanker as Murphy manages his resources and makes nine personnel changes to the team.

With Kendellen switching to the number 7 jersey, powerful Munster back rower Daniel Okeke comes in for his first start of the campaign at number 8, with Alex Soroka stationed at blindside.

There are three further changes in the pack, with George Saunderson and Eoin de Buitléar both drafted into the front row and Mark Morrissey returning to the second row alongside Harry Sheridan.

James Humphreys has recovered from the facial injury he sustained against Scotland to start at out-half, outside his Ulster colleague Nathan Doak.

The Ulster connection continues in midfield where Jude Postlethwaite and Ben Carson make their full debuts having featured off the bench during the opening three rounds in Cardiff.

Leinster’s Jamie Osborne makes his third start of the Championship at full-back, while Conor Rankin and IQ Rugby recruit Chay Mullins feature on the wings for the meeting with the Azzurrini.

Meanwhile, Italy U-20 head coach Massimo Brunello makes just one change to the team that impressed against Scotland in a 43-3 bonus point victory.

It comes in the front row where Capitolina’s Luca Rizzolo replaces Mirco Spagnolo, while a slight reshuffle in midfield sees Tommaso Menoncello, the lone Benetton representative, and Filippo Drago swap places.

Manfredi Albanese picked up the player-of-the-match award against Scotland following a virtuoso display sealed by an excellent show-and-go try. The Calvisano scrum half has scored 11 points so far.

Under-20 Six Nations Results/Fixtures

Under-20 Six Nations Table

ITALY U-20: Lorenzo Pani (Cavalieri Union Prato); Flavio Pio Vaccari (Unione Rugby Capitolina), Tommaso Menoncello (Benetton Rugby), Filippo Drago (Mogliano Rugby 1969), Simone Gesi (HBS Colorno); Leonardo Marin (Mogliano Rugby 1969), Manfredi Albanese (Kawasaki Robot Calvisano); Luca Rizzoli (Unione Rugby Capitolina), Tommaso di Bartolomeo (Argos Petrarca), Ion Neculai (Cavalieri Union Prato), Giacomo Ferrari (Unione Rugby Capitolina), Nicola Piantella (Rangers Vicenza), Luca Andreani (Rugby Bassa Bresciana) (capt), Ross Micheal Vintcent (Accademia Nazionale Ivan Francescato), Lorenzo Cannone (Argos Petrarca).

Replacements: Matteo Baldelli (Cavalieri Union Prato), Mirco Spagnolo (Checco Camposampiero Rugby), Muhamed Hasa (Argos Petrarca), Fabrizio Boschetti (Rugby Viadana 1970), Giovanni Cenedese (Villorba Rugby), Alessandro Garbisi (Mogliano Rugby 1969), Mattia Ferrarin (Argos Petrarca), Fabio Schiabel (Rugby San Donà), Andrea Angelone (Fiamme Oro Rugby), Giulio Marucchini (S.S. Lazio Rugby 1927), Michele Brighetti (Accademia Nazionale Ivan Francescato).

IRELAND U-20: Jamie Osborne (Naas CBS/Naas RFC/Leinster); Conor Rankin (Campbell College Belfast/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), Jude Postlethwaite (RBAI/Banbridge RFC/Ulster), Ben Carson (Wallace High School/Banbridge RFC/Ulster), Chay Mullins (SGC Filton/Bristol Bears/IQ Rugby); James Humphreys (Dean Close School/Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Nathan Doak (Wallace High School/Banbridge RFC/Ulster); George Saunderson (Sullivan Upper School/Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Eoin de Buitléar (Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin/An Ghaeltacht/Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Sam Illo (Wesley College/Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Mark Morrissey (Blackrock College/UCD RFC/Leinster), Harry Sheridan (Sullivan Upper School/Dublin University FC/Ulster), Alex Soroka (Belvedere College/Clontarf RFC/Leinster), Alex Kendellen (PBC Cork/UCC RFC/Munster) (capt), Daniel Okeke (Ardscoil Ris/Shannon RFC/Munster).

Replacements: Ronan Loughnane (Cistercian College Roscrea/UCD RFC/Leinster), Jack Boyle (St. Michael’s College/UCD RFC/Leinster), Liam Bishop (Trent College/Nottingham University/IQ Rugby), Fearghail O’Donoghue (Cashel Community School/Cashel RFC/Munster), Jack Kelleher (PBC Cork/UCC RFC/Munster), Conor McKee (Sullivan Upper School/Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Cathal Forde (Colaiste Iognaid/Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Josh O’Connor (St. Peter’s College/UCD RFC/Leinster), Reuben Crothers (Wallace High School/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), Levi Vaughan (Terenure College/Terenure RFC/Leinster), Ben Moxham (Larne High School/Ballymena RFC/Ulster).

Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
Assistant Referees: Simon Mills, John Darcy (both Wales)
Television Match Official: Ian Tempest (England)

Watch

The game is live on RTÉ 2 and the RTE Player in the Republic of Ireland, while viewers in Northern Ireland/the UK and around the world can watch it live on YouTube or Facebook.

Pre-Match Quotes – Richie Murphy (Ireland U-20s): “We’ve had to dust ourselves down following the disappointment of last week and the focus of the group has been really good as we bid to bounce back against Italy.

“It has been a demanding schedule but this presents players with opportunities and there are a number of guys who have worked really hard to earn their selection this week.

“We’re looking forward to seeing them in action in the green jersey.”

Massimo Brunello (Italy U-20s): “Ireland are a strong team in every department and unpredictable, as they have shown on other occasions.

“Our approach to the match will have to be the same as shown against Scotland. Discipline and confidence will be essential to provide another high-level performance in this tournament.”

Pre-Match Links –

Sheridan Knuckles Down For ‘Physical’ Italian Job

‘We’ve Got To Go And Execute’ – Humphreys

Murphy Expecting ‘Cohesion’ From Much-Changed U-20 Team

Chay Mullins On His IQ Rugby Journey To The Ireland U-20s

In Pics: Ireland’s Winning Run Ended In U-20 Six Nations

Recent Meetings –

2018: Under-20 Six Nations: Ireland U-20s 38 Italy U-20s 34, Energia Park, Donnybrook

2019: Under-20 Six Nations: Italy U-20s 14 Ireland U-20s 34, Stadio Centro d’Italia, Rieti; World Rugby Under-20 Championship – Pool B: Italy U-20s 14 Ireland U-20s 38, Club de Rugby Ateneo Inmaculada, Santa Fe

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