This weekend marks the first fixture in Richie Murphy's tenure as Ulster's interim head coach. The former Clontarf man has been promoted into the position after the departure of Dan McFarland and Murphy's own huge accomplishments at the U20 level. While the position is only on an interim basis, Murphy has said he would like to have the role permanently.
Murphy will leave behind an incredible legacy with the U20s: back-to-back Grand Slams in 2022 and 2023, going unbeaten in 15 straight Six Nations matches and reaching a World Championship Final in 2023.
Murphy has helped bring through the next generation of Irish talent and it looks to be a talented bunch. So we've gone through every squad Richie Murphy has had since coming in as Head Coach in 2021 and made a best possible XV.
SEE ALSO: Heartbreak For Ireland U20s As England Claim Six Nations With Comeback In France
Best Ireland U20s XV Of The Richie Murphy Era
1. Jack Boyle
4 February 2022; Jack Boyle of Ireland during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Wales at Musgrave Park in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
At loosehead prop we've gone for Jack Boyle. He was part of Richie Murphy's first Six Nations squad in 2021 but it was the next year when he would make his mark. He started in all five matches and scored a try as Ireland won the Grand Slam. Since then Boyle went on to make his Leinster debut last season coming off the bench against the Dragons at home. This season he has taken another step forward as he's started six URC matches for Leinster this season and has gotten a couple of tries too.
2. Gus McCarthy
19 March 2023; Gus McCarthy of Ireland during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and England at Musgrave Park in Cork. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
The captain for last year's Grand Slam, Gus McCarthy was an ever present in last year's U20s campaign, starting in all the Six Nations matches and all but one match as Ireland reached the final of the World Championship. McCarthy is currently part of the Leinster Academy and has been a starter for UCD in the AIL this season.
3. Paddy McCarthy
19 March 2023; Paddy McCarthy of Ireland is tackled by Lewis Chessum, right, and Danny Eite of England during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and England at Musgrave Park in Cork. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Another McCarthy on the list, Paddy is the brother of Ireland international Joe and it's easy to tell once you've watched him play. He has a big frame coupled with brutish power like his big brother. Paddy in his own right has reached the Leinster first team this season, coming off the bench in Leinster's first four matches of the URC this season.
4. Evan O'Connell
15 March 2024; Evan O’Connell of Ireland during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Scotland at Virgin Media Park in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
A man with a famous surname but has shown so far that he doesn't shy away from the pressure. O'Connell is the current U20s captain and he led by example in the last Six Nations. Whether it was his player of the match performance in the last against Scotland or his composure and maturity he shows when he's interviewed, it's easy to tell that O'Connell has a good head on his shoulders and has the mentality to go far. He made his Munster debut last season in the URC against Ulster. He's been playing for UL Bohs in the AIL this season.
5. Conor O'Tighearnaigh
25 February 2022; Conor O’Tighearnaigh of Ireland is tackled during the Guinness U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at Musgrave Park in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Conor O'Tighearnaigh was the only man to start in all 10 games in Ireland's back-to-back Grand Slam campaigns and it's a testament to how much faith Murphy had in the lock. He made his debut for Leinster last season away in South Africa against the Bulls and has been a regular for UCD in the AIL this season.
6. James Culhane
4 February 2022; James Culhane of Ireland during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Wales at Musgrave Park in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Culhane was a star player in the Grand Slam team in 2022. At the base of the scrum at number 8, Culhane was a very clever kind of player, not flashy but did all the simple tasks brilliantly. He's made four starts for Leinster this season at 8, including in the interpro win away at Connacht in December.
7. Alex Kendellen
1 July 2021; Alex Kendellen of Ireland breaks away from Fin Smith of England during the U20 Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and England at Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by Gareth Everett/Sportsfile
One of the more accomplished players in the senior game on this list, Kendellen has become a regular name in the Munster squad since making his debut in 2021. He's already racked up over 50 appearances for Munster and is still only 23 years-old. If it wasn't for the competition in the back row, Kendellen may be considered a name for the greater Ireland squads. There's no doubt however that he's on the right trajectory to reach that Ireland call at some point.
8. Brian Gleeson
3 February 2023; Brian Gleeson of Ireland after the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Wales and Ireland at Stadiwm CSM in Colwyn Bay, Wales. Photo by Paul Greenwood/Sportsfile
Another talented Munster back row, Gleeson was instrumental in Ireland U20s campaign last year. He was a man mountain on this pitch and put in some awe-inspiring performances in the World Championships on Ireland's route to the final. Gleeson has become a more familiar name in the Munster first team this season, coming off the bench ten times so far this season. A start is certainly due to come for the Tipp man.
9. Nathan Doak
1 July 2021; Nathan Doak of Ireland kicks a conversion during the U20 Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and England at Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by Chris Fairweather/Sportsfile
Another very accomplished player a the senior level, Doak has played over 60 games for Ulster since making his debut in 2021. With the departure of Bully Burns this summer to Munster, the word is that Doak could be transitioned into fly-half for next season. He has some experience there already but time will tell if it's a savvy decision by Ulster. What we do know though is that Doak is a very talented player, elite kicker and has the potential to be a star. It will be interesting to see what Murphy may have in store for him.
10. Sam Prendergast
10 February 2023; Sam Prendergast of Ireland after the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and France at Musgrave Park in Cork. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
Arguably the most hyped Ireland U20s players in memory, Prendergast had Irish rugby fans salivating with his performances last year for the U20s. He played like a seasoned pro but still with the bravery of youth, not afraid to go for the extraordinary and to his credit, it paid off a lot of the time for Prendergast last season. The heir apparent to Johnny Sexton, Prendergast has made 12 appearances for Leinster, starting in four of them and making his European debut at home to Sale in December. He was also part of the extended Ireland Six Nations squad this year, though he didn't get a cap.
11. Aitzol Arenzana-King
24 June 2022; Aitzol King of Ireland in action during the Six Nations U20 summer series match between Ireland and France at Payanini Centre in Verona, Italy. Photo by Roberto Bregani/Sportsfile
Arenzana-King is a brilliant athlete on the wing. He matches his 6'3 frame with lightning pace and he has a great ability to finish. He scored four tries in 2021 for the Ireland U20s and made his Leinster debut last season, coming off the bench in a home win against Cardiff. He was also a starter for Clontarf last season as they reached the AIL Division 1A final where the lost to Terenure.
12. Cathal Forde
13 July 2021; Cathal Forde of Ireland is tackled by Matthias Haddad Victor of France during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and France at Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by Mark Lewis/Sportsfile
The first Connacht man on the list, Forde has really come into his own this season out west. Since breaking into the team last year there's been points where Forde has kept Bundee Aki out of the starting squad. As well equipped to play outside centre as well as inside, Forde can play at out-half as well and has done for Connacht. Forde was part of the Emerging Ireland squad that toured South Africa in 2022 and an Ireland call-up could be in the near future for the Galway man.
13. Hugh Gavin
29 June 2023; Hugh Gavin of Ireland during the U20 Rugby World Cup match between Australia and Ireland at Paarl Gymnasium in Paarl, South Africa. Photo by Thinus Maritz/Sportsfile
Another Connacht man in the centre, Gavin was one of Ireland's best players in the most recent Six Nations campaign. Gavin was also part of the Ireland U20s team in 2023 that won a Grand Slam and reached the World Championship final. Gavin is currently in the Connacht academy and plays for Galwegians in the AIL.
14. Jamie Osborne
1 July 2021; Jamie Osborne of Ireland breaks away during the U20 Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and England at Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by Gareth Everett/Sportsfile
The versatile Osborne can play in pretty much anywhere across the backline and has done so for Leinster since making his debut in 2021. Osborne is actually the only player to receive a full Ireland call up in this XV. He was called up as part of the full squad last year for the Six Nations last year but didn't make a cap as Ireland won the Grand Slam. It's just a matter of time until Osborne gets a cap and at the rate he's at, he should be a regular on the teamsheet in years to come.
15. Patrick Campbell
25 February 2022; Patrick Campbell of Ireland calls a mark during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at Musgrave Park in Cork. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Probably the most accomplished athlete on this list, Campbell was part of the Cork minor football team that won an All-Ireland in 2019, winning man of the match in the semis against Mayo. He too has made a mark on the rugby pitch too, playing a key role in Ireland's Grand Slam in 2022 and making 11 appearances for Munster to date. He's currently out with a shoulder injury but when fit, Campbell is a handful for any defence.
