IRELAND HAVE NAMED their starting side for Saturday’s World Rugby U20 championship opener agaisnt Italy in Cape Town.

Head coah Willie Faloon has revealed his selection for the Pool B opener at the DHL Stadium, with Evan O’Connell captaining the side from the second row, where he will partner Alan Spicer.

Ben O’Connor is at full-back, while Jack Murphy and Oliver Coffey are the half-back pair. 

Connacht’s Max Flynn will make his U20 debut at openside, while Jake O’Riordan is another newcomer amongst the replacements.

Brian Gleeson is a notable absentee, while Hugh Gavin, a standout performer in the Six Nations earlier this year, is on the bench.

Kick-off is 3.30pm (Irish time).

The Ireland Men's U20s Match Day Squad for Saturday's World Rugby U20 Championship opener against Italy in Cape Town! 🟢#FutureIsGreen

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 27, 2024

Ireland Men’s U20s (v Italy)

• 15. Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster)
• 14. Davy Colbert (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
• 13. Finn Treacy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
• 12. Sam Berman (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
• 11. Hugo McLaughlin (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
• 10. Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
• 9. Oliver Coffey (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)

• 1. Jacob Boyd (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
• 2. Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
• 3. Patreece Bell (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)
• 4. Alan Spicer (UCD RFC/Leinster)
• 5. Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) (captain)
• 6. Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster)
• 7. Max Flynn (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)*
• 8. Luke Murphy (Shannon RFC/Munster)

Replacements:

• 16. Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
• 17. Emmet Calvey (Shannon RFC/Munster)
• 18. Andrew Sparrow (UCD RFC/Leinster)
• 19. James McKillop (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
• 20. Bryn Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
• 21. Jake O’Riordan (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)*
• 22. Sean Naughton (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
• 23. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)