IRELAND HEAD COACH Richie Murphy says his players are relishing the opportunity “to finish the season on the ultimate high” when they take on France in Friday’s U20 World Rugby Championship final.
James McNabney is the only change in the starting XV which beat hosts South Africa last weekend, as he comes into the back row alongside Ruadhan Quinn and Brian Gleeson, while Diarmuid Mangan switches to second row.
“The entire group are fully focused on producing our best performance of the season because we know we’ll need it against a very strong France team,” Murphy said.
Our line up for Friday's World Rugby U20 Championship Final! 🟢#FutureIsGreen | @PwCIreland
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 12, 2023
“We have made good progress throughout the tournament but we will need to fine-tune all areas of our game for the final.
“The players and staff are excited about the challenge ahead,” the head coach continued.
“The level of support we have received from back home throughout has been incredible and a major boost for everyone, and we will do everything to finish the season on the ultimate high.”
Henry McErlean, Andrew Osborne and James Nicholson continue in the back three, with John Devine and Hugh Gavin named in the midfield, and Fintan Gunne and Sam Prendergast the half-backs.
In the pack, Paddy McCarthy, captain Gus McCarthy and Ronan Foxe are in the front row, with Mangan joining Conor O’Tighearnaigh.
Kick-off at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town is 6pm Irish time and it’s live on Virgin Media Two.
Ireland (v France)
- 15. Henry McErlean (Terenure/Leinster)
- 14. Andrew Osborne (Naas/Leinster)
- 13. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
- 12. John Devine (Corinthians/Connacht)
- 11. James Nicholson (UCD/Leinster)
- 10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)
- 9. Fintan Gunne (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
- 1. Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
- 2. Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)(captain)
- 3. Ronan Foxe (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
- 4. Diarmuid Mangan (UCD/Leinster)
- 5. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
- 6. James McNabney (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
- 7. Ruadhan Quinn (Old Crescent RFC/Munster)
- 8. Brian Gleeson (Garryowen/Munster)
Replacements:
- 16. Max Clein (Garryowen/Munster)
- 17. George Hadden (Clontarf/Leinster)
- 18. Fiachna Barrett (Corinthians/Connacht)
- 19. Charlie Irvine (Queen’s University/Ulster)
- 20. Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
- 21. Oscar Cawley (Naas/Leinster)
- 22. Matthew Lynch (Dublin University/Leinster)
- 23. Sam Berman (Dublin University/Leinster).
Come on spurs. Destroy those deluded fools.
The irony.
Liverpool fans are the most deluded on this planet. Everyone knows that.
Yidds are in cookoo land
Coming from a United supporter still in denial
How are Spurs delusional? Ask City…
Spurs fans have been deluded since their Champions League dizziness.
Spurs on their day can beat any team in that league; consistency is the problem more so than delusion. The ability is there in droves.
Karol is 100% bang on. Liverpool fans think they are a title winning side that can still compete in the champions league. They’re a mid table club as best. Or as Carragher once said. “Liverpool are no longer a big club”.
Yeah a lot of fans are deluded, sure many united fans thought they were favourites to win the league a few weeks ago. Back where they belong? Hilarious.
Lads, does Ron know United are 3rd and 2 points off top?
Ron, City lodt 4-1 to spurs, a lesser side than Aresnal. Don’t write United off just yet
Ironic, so biased
All football fans are biased when it comes to the team they support, its human nature.
Carol and Loner are correct, they have accepted that Man U are average and have moved on.
Another few hundred million and the league cup is within your sights. The idea of a spurs fan calling Liverpool fans deluded is embarrassing for them
I’m not a Spurs fan.
How on earth are our 3 main strikers all injured?
Liverpool fans must be delighted with a manager actually playing Can and Lucas together in midfield.
Come on the pool !!!
And why is anyone even surprised that Daniel Sturridge is out injured, sick note head on him
He’s hardly making it up, and is fairly useful when he is fit.
Will take a draw
2-2 is 11/1 with PP
Jeasus he’s no-one up front to choose from .. Hope it goes well for him YNWA
For his first game he has a pitiful choice of players.
Come come now. The Liverpool squad is full of promising young players, it’s a bit harsh to be writing them off. I know for a fact if anyone of them played for United you’d have a different perspective. Biased, simple as…..
Come on Kloppo!
3-1 to the Pool!
YNWA
Wouldn’t get ahead of yourself there, I got a back lashing the last time I gave a prediction. It will a good game however.
You’re not calling him Kloppo already are you. Oh God.
Ah Chris is back!!!! I LOL with his prediction in the arsenal game how do you call it today Chris?
Alan B = Pathetic.
Not as pathetic as your predictions Christopher
Difference is Alan B, I can say I got it wrong and acknowledge it.
Where there is you, whom keeps sprouting crap on this site.
I can imagine Alan B having really greasy hair and needs glasses because of all the time he’s spent looking at a computer screen.
You do know the journal is available as an app on smartphones unknown you don’t have to log on to your computer to read it
What’s your prediction today Christopher?
Chris, I would have predicted this would turn into a slagging match.
3 – 1 Spurs with Kane 1st goalscorer
Make that 2-1 and I’d agree with you
What’s your prediction in the united game?
1-1 draw
Mine was 0-3 ! Was I close ….
I’ve had a bet with my Liverpool supporting nephew that whoever loses has to send the other a photo naked in a shopping center. Please win Spurs !!!
@Shakka
Could turn out to be the worst bet of your life.
Come on da Pool!
why do you want to see your nephew naked?
Are you his aunt or uncle. Too weird either way
Please tell me your nephew is over 18 at least.
I’d go into the jacks in one and send one from there. you should have been more specific
Or a changing room
Which shopping centre?
What was the plan in case of a draw?
Well, a patched up team, against a very good team that destroyed Man City…. Sorry to disappoint deluded Man U fans, but Liverpool have a manager who is going to reinvent this club, bring them back to where they belong….. Will take time, but it will happen.
Yeah shoring up the defense has to be the priority but Liverpool did get a few chances in the second half. Spurs were the better team but not by enough to deserve the win.
And having faith in some players….Sakho for example.
Sakho Sh!te