The Ireland Under-20 squad has a fresh and exciting look to it as they embark on a new U-20 Six Nations campaign, beginning with a tough encounter with Scotland at Cumbernauld’s Broadwood Stadium.
2017 UNDER-20 SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP: Friday, February 3
SCOTLAND UNDER-20s v IRELAND UNDER-20s, Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld, 8.30pm (live RTÉ Two/www.rte.ie/live (island of Ireland only))
Team News: A new-look Ireland Under-20 team, sponsored by PwC, sees just two players previously capped at this level named in the side – out- half Johnny McPhillips and Cillian Gallagher in the back row.
Joe Conway, Tadgh McElroy and Peter Cooper make up the front row with Fineen Wycherley and Oisin Dowling paired together in the second row. Gallagher, Paul Boyle and Caelan Doris complete the pack.
Captain Jack Kelly will start at full-back with Jordan Larmour and Colm Hogan named on the wings. UCD duo Gavin Mullin and Ciaran Frawley make up the centre paring with McPhillips (pictured below) named at out-half alongside his Ulster colleague, scrum half Jonny Stewart.
Commenting on the team selection and the challenge ahead, Ireland U-20 head coach Nigel Carolan said: “As is the nature of Under-20 rugby, there is fresh look to the side, the majority of the guys haven’t played at this level before however many have gotten good game-time with their provincial ‘A’ teams in the British & Irish Cup this season, so that should stand to them.
“We are looking forward to starting the Six Nations. Training has gone well and the boys have gelled as a group. We are taking the tournament one game at a time and are looking forward to kicking things off in Scotland on Friday night.”
Meanwhile, of the 23-man squad named by Scotland U-20 head coach Sean Lineen, 16 players are products of the BT Sport Scottish Rugby Academy and eight have experience of playing international rugby at U-20 level.
Hawick’s Darcy Graham is set to start at full-back, with Ross McCann and Robbie Nairn occupying the wings.
Cameron Hutchison and Craig Pringle start in midfield, with Andrew Simmers and Josh Henderson forming the half-back pairing.
In the forwards, George Thornton and Adam Nicol pack down at prop either side of hooker Fraser Renwick, while Callum Hunter-Hill, who will captain the side, starts in the second row alongside Alex Craig.
Luke Crosbie and Matt Fagerson start on the blindside and openside flank respectively and will be joined in the back row by Tom Dodd, who will don the number 8 shirt.
Match Ticket Info: Click here to buy tickets for the Scotland v Ireland Women’s & Under-20s double header. Adult tickets are priced at £10 (valid for both matches). Senior citizens, under-18s and Scotland Season Pass holders go free.
SCOTLAND U-20: Darcy Graham (Hawick); Robbie Nairn (Harlequins), Craig Pringle (Stirling County), Cameron Hutchison (Currie), Ross McCann (Melrose); Josh Henderson (Glasgow Hawks), Andrew Simmers (Heriot’s); George Thornton (Bishop Burton College), Fraser Renwick (Hawick), Adam Nicol (Stirling County), Alex Craig (Gloucester), Callum Hunter-Hill (Stirling County) (capt), Luke Crosbie (Currie), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Hawks), Tom Dodd (Worcester Warriors).
Replacements: Robbie Smith (Ayr), Daniel Winning (Boroughmuir), Fergus Bradbury (Stirling County), Hamish Bain (Currie), Jamie Ure (Boroughmuir), Bruce Flockhart (Glasgow Hawks), Charlie Shiel (Currie), Stafford McDowall (Ayr).
IRELAND U-20: Jack Kelly (Dublin University/Leinster) (capt); Jordan Larmour (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Gavin Mullin (UCD/Leinster), Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster), Colm Hogan (Dublin University/Munster); Johnny McPhillips (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Jonny Stewart (Queen’s University/Ulster); Joey Conway (UL Bohemians/Munster), Tadgh McElroy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Peter Cooper (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster/Munster), Oisin Dowling (Lansdowne/Leinster), Cillian Gallagher (Corinthians/Connacht), Paul Boyle (Lansdowne/Leinster), Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster).
Replacements: Adam Moloney (Shannon/Munster), Rory Mulvihill (UCD/Leinster), Charlie Connolly (Dublin University/Leinster), Jack Regan (UCD/Leinster), Marcus Rea (Queen’s University/Ulster), Jack Lyons (Young Munster/Munster), Conor Fitzgerald (Shannon/Munster), Tommy O’Brien (UCD/Leinster).
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant Referees: Jack Makepeace, Peter Allan (both England)
Television Match Official: David Sainsbury (England)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Scotland U-20s to win: 8/5; Draw: 16/1; Ireland U-20s to win: 4/7
Pre-Match Quotes – Cillian Gallagher (Ireland U-20s): “The team is going to get so much more attention because of what we did last year (finishing as World Rugby U-20 Championship runners-up).
“Last year showed what we can do as a country. At the start of the year, we weren’t massively rated. We were written off after the first two games of the Six Nations. And then we had a good end to it (with three wins).
“Last year we had a team that was statistically big but it didn’t mean that we always dominated. Maybe physically we’re not as big stats-wise, but I can’t really see that being an issue.
“We dominated when we had our mindset right and we came together as a pack and executed everything with unbelievable aggression and persistence. That’s the mentality that I think this pack is going to bring.”
Sean Lineen (Scotland U-20s): “A lot of players have made a statement during the preparation camps and their hard work and effort has merited a spot in the side for Friday’s Championship opener.
“A lot of those involved this week are new to the international stage, but they have the quality to compete and we have no doubt they will rise to the occasion.
“Ireland are going to be physical and astute, and we’ll have to be at the top of our game to match them in all facets. However, we’re going to relish in the challenge and we look forward to doing so in front of our home support.”
Pre-Match Links –
In Touch: RBS 6 Nations Edition Out Now
Ireland Under-20 Squad Selected For Six Nations
Tickets On Sale Now For Ireland Women And U-20 Home Fixtures
Match Facts –
– Scotland finished in eighth place at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship last June with their only two victories coming against Australia and Italy
– In the 2016 Under-20 Six Nations, Scotland’s two victories were gained against England in round 1 and Italy in round 3
– Scotland’s 36-21 reversal to France in round 4 last season ended a four-match home winning run in the Championship
– The Ireland Under-20s achieved their best ever result in the World Rugby U-20 Championship last summer when they reached the final, only to lose to hosts England. Their defeat in that game ended a seven-match winning run at this level
– Ireland won in the last three rounds of the 2016 Under-20 Six Nations but have not won four in a row in the tournament since 2012
– Ireland have won their last three matches against the Scotland Under-20s in all tournaments since their 17-10 round 5 defeat in the U-20 Six Nations at Galashiels in 2015
– Scotland’s only loss in their last four home games against Ireland at this level was at Inverness in 2011
Recent Meetings –
2015: U-20 Six Nations: Scotland U-20s 17 Ireland U-20s 10, Netherdale; World Rugby U-20 Championship Pool C: Ireland U-20s 24 Scotland U-20s 20, Stadio San Michele, Calvisano; World Rugby U-20 Championship – 7th/8th Place Play-Off: Ireland U-20s 17 Scotland U-20s 9, Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana
2016: U-20 Six Nations: Ireland U-20s 26 Scotland U-20s 18, Donnybrook
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