Nigel Carolan has named his Ireland U20 squad for the upcoming U20 Six Nations Championship. Carolan takes over from Mike Ruddock as the head coach of the U20s, and inherits a squad packed with Junior World Cup experience.
The Connacht academy manager has brought through the likes of Robbie Henshaw and Kieran Marmion and will be charged bringing the U20s to a new level. Connacht have five players in the squad lead by last year's member Ciaran Gaffney joined by highly rated U19 tighthead prop Conan O'Donnell.
A total of 11 of 30 the man squad were involved with the team last year. Ireland will look to enjoy some success with a talented squad.
Players like last year's JWC player of the tournament nominee Gary Ringrose, Jacob Stockdale, Rory Moloney and captain Nick McCarthy will be key players for the side in the Six Nations and the Junior World Cup.
Nick McCarthy becomes the 3rd St. Michael's College captain of the Ireland U20s in a row after Luke McGrath and Dan Leavy.
Ireland U20 Squad For 6 Nations:
Looseheads: Jeremy Loughman (Leinster), Michael Lagan (Ulster)
Hookers: Sean McNulty (Munster), Zac McCall (Ulster)
Tightheads: Oisin Heffernan (Leinster), Conan O'Donnell (Connacht)
Second Rows: Jack Dwan (Leinster), David O'Connor (Leinster), Cian Romaine (Connacht), Alex Thompson (Ulster)
Blindside Flankers:Stephen McVeigh (Connacht), Josh Murphy (Leinster)
Openside Flankers:Rory Moloney (Connacht), Conor Oliver (Leinster)
No. 8s: Lorcan Dow (Ulster), Nick Timoney (Leinster)
Scrumhalves: Nick McCarthy (Leinster), Jack Cullen (Munster)
Outhalves: Ross Byrne(Leinster), Joey Carberry (Leinster)
Inside Centres: Sam Arnold (Ulster), Harrison Brewer (Leinster), Fergal Cleary (Leinster)
Outside Centres: Gary Ringrose (Leinster)
Wingers: Greg O'Shea (Munster), Jack Owens (Ulster)
Fullbacks: Billy Dardis (Leinster), Stephen Fitzgerald (Munster), Ciaran Gaffney (Connacht), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster)
Photo Credit Ramsey Cardey/ Sportsfile
