The Ireland U20s will step up their preparations for the rescheduled U20 Six Nations when they face Leinster 'A' at Energia Park this afternoon (kick-off 1pm). Eight Ulster players have been selected. Head Coach Richie Murphy, along with Assistant Coaches Colm Tucker and Denis Leamy, have been working with an extended squad at the IRFU High Performance Centre this week, as Ireland continue to build towards the Championship in Cardiff. With just three weeks until Ireland's Six Nations opener against Scotland on 19 June, this afternoon's hit-out against Noel McNamara's Leinster 'A' side will be an important building block, and Murphy has named an extended 32-player squad for the challenge match at Energia Park. Joe McCarthy, who featured in the Ireland second row during last season's U20 Six Nations campaign, will captain the side, with Murphy hoping to maximise the playing opportunities for his panel over the course of the 80 minutes. Commenting ahead of the game, the Head Coach said: "We've had two really positive camps at the High Performance Centre, and the group is making good progress in our preparations for the Six Nations campaign. This game against Leinster 'A' will be an important step for us in our preparations, as we look to implement the hard work on the training pitch into a match situation." Ireland open their Six Nations campaign against Scotland at Cardiff Arms Park on 19 June, before facing Wales in Round 2 on 25 June. Murphy's side will go head-to-head with England on 1 July, before concluding the Championship with ties against Italy on 7 July and France on 13 July. There will be coverage of the game at Energia Park on Irish Rugby social media channels and IrishRugby.ie. Ireland U20s (from): Chris Cosgrave (UCD RFC/Leinster), Chay Mullins (Bristol Bears/IQ Rugby), Jamie Osborne (Naas RFC/Leinster), Ben Carson (Banbridge RFC/Ulster), Shane Jennings (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht), Cian Whooley (UCC RFC/Munster), Ben Murphy (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Jack Boyle (UCD RFC/Leinster), Ronan Loughnane (UCD RFC/Leinster), Sam Illo (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Harry Sheridan (Dublin University FC/Ulster), Joe McCarthy (Dublin University FC/Leinster), Donnacha Byrne (Sligo RFC/Connacht), Diarmuid McCormack (Dublin University FC/Connacht), Daniel Okeke (Shannon RFC/Munster), Jamie Shanahan (Garryowen FC/Munster), Conor Rankin (Malone RFC/Ulster), Alan Flannery (Shannon RFC/Munster), Cathal Forde (Corinthian RFC/Connacht), Hubert Gilvarry (Sligo RFC/Connacht), Aaron Leahy (Garryowen RFC/Munster), James Humphreys (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster), Conor McKee (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster), George Saunderson (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster), Eoin de Buitlear (Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Mark Donnelly (Garryowen RFC/Munster), Jack Kelleher (UCC RFC/Munster), Reuben Crothers (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), Oisin McCormack (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht), Alex Kendellen (UCC RFC/Munster), Oscar Egan (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster), Liam Bishop (Nottingham RFC/IQ Rugby). Leinster 'A': 15. Rob Russell 14. Donal Conroy 13. Marcus Kiely 12. David Hawkshaw (Captain) 11. Josh O'Connor 10. Tim Corkery 9. Cormac Foley 1. Michael Milne 2. John McKee 3. Vakh Abdaladze 4. Mark Morrissey 5. Ryan Baird 6. Martin Moloney 7. Aaron Coleman 8. Mark Boyle. Replacements: 16. Dan Sheehan 17. Marcus Hanan/Temi Lasisi 18. Greg McGrath 19. Ruairi Clarke 21. Will Reilly 22. Harry Colbert. Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU).

Ireland U20s to step up Six Nations preparations against Leinster 'A'

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