Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy has been appointed Captain ahead of Ireland’s opening fixture against Wales in Colwyn Bay on Friday 3 February (KO 7pm).
Leinster duo Diarmuid Mangan and Conor O’Tighearnaigh, as well as Ulster back row James McNabney, were part of last season’s Grand Slam-winning squad, while a further four players – Sam Prendergast, Charlie Irvine, Harry West, and George Hadden – are named in the 2023 Championship squad having featured during the U20 Summer Series in Italy last June.
The Ireland squad have been building towards the Six Nations through a series of camps at the IRFU High Performance Centre, while Challenge Matches against Italy, Munster Development and Leinster Development over the Christmas period have aided preparations.
Ireland kick-off the Six Nations away in Wales, before hosting France in Round 2 at Musgrave Park on Friday, 10 February (KO 8pm).
Murphy’s side will then go head-to-head with Italy on Friday 24 February in Treviso (KO 7 15pm), before concluding the Championship away to Scotland on Friday, 10 March (KO 7 15pm) and at home to England in Cork on Sunday 19 March (KO 5pm).
Murphy also confirmed his coaching staff for the 2023 Championship, with Ulster’s Willie Faloon, who is named asDefence and Lineout coach, and Mark Sexton (Backs and Attack) continuing in their roles - and Aaron Dundon joining the team as Scrum and Contact Coach.
Tickets for Ireland’s home matches at Musgrave Park are available to purchase now.
Ireland U20s Squad:
Forwards (17):
George Morris (Lansdowne/Leinster)<br>
George Hadden (Clontarf/Leinster)<br>
Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)(Captain)<br>
Conall Henchy (DUFC/Munster)<br>
Danny Sheahan (UCC/Munster)<br>
Ronan Foxe (Leinster/Old Belvedere)<br>
Fiachna Barrett (Corinthians/Connacht)<br>
Paddy McCarthy (DUFC/Leinster)<br>
Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD/Leinster)<br>
Charlie Irvine (Queen’s University/Ulster)<br>
Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemians/Munster)<br>
Joe Hopes (Queen’s University/Ulster)<br>
Jacob Sheahan (UCC/Munster)<br>
Diarmuid Mangan (UCD/Leinster)<br>
Ruadhán Quinn (Old Crescent/Munster)<br>
James McNabney (Ballymena/Ulster)<br>
Brian Gleeson (Garryowen/Munster)
Backs (15):
Jack Oliver (Garryowen/Munster)<br>
Oscar Cawley (Naas/Leinster)<br>
Fintan Gunne (Terenure/Leinster)<br>
Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)<br>
Matthew Lynch (DUFC/Leinster)<br>
Harry West (Buccaneers/Connacht)<br>
Sam Berman (DUFC/Leinster)<br>
Hugh Gavin (Galwegians/Connacht)<br>
Hugh Cooney (Clontarf/Leinster)<br>
John Devine (Corinthians/Connacht)<br>
Ike Anagu (La Rochelle/IQ Rugby)<br>
James Nicholson (UCD/Leinster)<br>
Rory Telfer (Queen’s University/Ulster)<br>
Henry McErlean (Terenure/Leinster)<br>
Noah Sheridan (Clontarf/Leinster)
Ireland U20 Fixtures:
- Friday 3 February: Wales v Ireland, Colwyn Bay, 7pm (Virgin Media)
- Friday 10 February: Ireland v France, Musgrave Park, 8pm (RTÉ)
- Friday 24 February: Italy v Ireland, Stadio Comunale di Monigo, 7 15pm (RTÉ)
- Friday 10 March: Scotland v Ireland, Scotstoun Stadium, 7 15pm (RTÉ)
- Sunday 19 March: Ireland v England, Musgrave Park, 5pm (Virgin Media)