The last four meetings of the Ireland and France Under-20s have produced two wins apiece and winning margins of six points or less, so another tight game is expected on the opening night of the U-20 Six Nations Summer Series.
2022 UNDER-20 SIX NATIONS SUMMER SERIES – POOL A: Friday, June 24
FRANCE UNDER-20s v IRELAND UNDER-20s, Payanini Rugby Centre, Verona, 8pm local time/7pm Irish time (live Under-20 Six Nations YouTube Channel)
Team News: Head coach Richie Murphy has announced the Ireland Under-20 team, sponsored by PwC, for tonight’s U-20 Six Nations Summer Series opener against France in Verona.
Ulster back rower Reuben Crothers will captain Ireland for their opening Pool A fixture, with Murphy including 14 players who featured during the Grand Slam-winning campaign in his starting XV for the clash with les Bleuets.
A lengthy injury list means there are some notable absentees, but twelve of today’s matchday squad were in the 23 for the dramatic 17-16 victory over France in Aix-en-Provence back in February.
Young Munster winger Shay McCarthy will make his Ireland Under-20 debut in the back-three, where he is joined by Dylan O’Grady and Aitzol King, the two-try hero against England in March.
Fionn Gibbons, an outstanding performer for Ireland during the U-20 Six Nations, combines with Daniel Hawkshaw in midfield, while Munster Academy duo Tony Butler and Ethan Coughlan fill the half-back berths.
In the pack, Oisin Michel, James McCormick and Shannon’s Darragh McSweeney join forces in the front row. The ever-present Conor O’Tighearnaigh packs down with Adam McNamee at lock.
James McNabney, Crothers and Lorcan McLoughlin complete the starting line-up, while Murphy has plenty of options on the bench with teams allowed to name an extended matchday squad.
The replacements include Sam Prendergast, Charlie Irvine, George Hadden and George Shaw who, along with McNabney, lined out for the Ireland Under-19s against France during their two-match Easter series.
Meanwhile, France Under-20 captain Emilien Gailleton is one of a dozen returning players who were part of the squad for February’s Six Nations encounter with Ireland.
Max Auriac, Ethan Randle, Gailleton and Clermont Auvergne scrum half Baptiste Jauneau bring experience to the back-line, with Gailleton’s centre partner, Nicolas Depoortere, an impressive performer for the France U-19s against Ireland.
Toulouse’s Léo Labarthe, who captained the French U-19s on Irish soil, steps up in the second row, while number 8 Killian Tixeront, who also brings captaincy experience, was one of the players involved in the 2021 U-20 Six Nations in Cardiff.
France’s preparations for the tournament included providing training opposition for the Barbarians ahead of their 52-21 victory over England at Twickenham Stadium last weekend.
FRANCE U-20: Max Auriac (Toulouse); Ethan Randle (Perpignan), Emilien Gailleton (Agen) (capt), Nicolas Depoortere (Bordeaux-Bègles), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux-Bègles); Léo Barre (Stade Francais), Baptiste Jauneau (Clermont Auvergne); Thomas Moukoro (Racing 92), Connor Sa (Bordeaux-Bègles), Eliott Yemsi (Toulon), Samuel M’Foudi (Perpignan), Léo Labarthe (Toulouse), Noé Della Schiava (La Rochelle), Maxime Baudonne (Racing 92), Killian Tixeront (Clermont Auvergne).
Replacements: Victor Montgaillard (Perpignan), Pierre-Emmanuel Pacheco (Colomiers), Robin Bellemand (Colomiers), Raphael Portat (Toulouse), Léo Banos (Stade Montois), Jules Coulon (Toulon), Simon Tarel (Provence), Matéo Garcia (Bordeaux-Bègles), Malohi Suta (Provence), Émile Dayral (Agen), Gatien Masse (Bordeaux-Bègles).
IRELAND U-20: Dylan O’Grady (UCD RFC/Leinster); Aitzol King (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Fionn Gibbons (UCD RFC/Leinster), Daniel Hawkshaw (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Shay McCarthy (Young Munster RFC/Munster); Tony Butler (Garryowen FC/Munster), Ethan Coughlan (Shannon RFC/Munster); Oisin Michel (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), James McCormick (Ballymena RFC/Ulster), Darragh McSweeney (Shannon RFC/Munster), Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster), Adam McNamee (Malone RFC/Ulster), James McNabney (Ballymena RFC/Ulster), Reuben Crothers (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster) (capt), Lorcan McLoughlin (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster).
Replacements: Josh Hanlon (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), George Hadden (Gorey RFC/Clontarf FC/Leinster), Kieran Ryan (Shannon RFC/Munster), Charlie Irvine (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Diarmuid Mangan (UCD RFC/Leinster), Michael Moloney (UCD RFC/Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), George Coomber (UCC RFC/Munster), Reece Malone (Loughborough University/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), George Shaw (Cardiff University/IQ Rugby), Ronan O’Sullivan (Highfield RFC/Munster).
Watch
The game is live on the Under-20 Six Nations YouTube channel.
Pre-Match Quotes – Richie Murphy (Ireland U-20s): “There’s no doubt we’re a little shy on where we’d like to be (with injuries ruling out a number of players), but it is what it is, and our job at Under-20 level is about development.
“It’s a great opportunity for these young lads that they’re prepared the best they can, and what better test than playing France, South Africa and England. It’s a good challenge.
“The turnover of players is probably a little bit too much for us but it is what it is, we just have to get on with it. We will deal with the players we have in camp. It is very much a new team.
“We’ve five guys back from that (Six Nations) starting XV and a similar number that were in the (matchday) 23 so those guys know the level that’s needed. Some of the younger guys, Under-19s obviously, it will be very new for those.
“We haven’t started from scratch, the guys have worked really hard over the last few weeks but it’s going to be a tough opener, let’s put it that way, against France and South Africa within a five-day turnaround.”
Jean-Marc Béderède (France U-20s): “There’s continuity in the squad but, above all, the selection is the result of an evaluation over the whole year. We’ve seen the boys with their clubs, training or playing with the various French underage teams.
“The choices were difficult since we’ve come to Italy without some players who would have deserved to be here, but these are selection choices.
“This should motivate those who will have the chance to compete in the U-20 Summer Series all the more, to show enthusiasm and dynamism because these are exceptional and privileged moments.”
Recent Meetings –
2019: Under-20 Six Nations: Ireland U-20s 31 France U-20s 29, Irish Independent Park
2021: Under-20 Six Nations: Ireland U-20s 28 France U-20s 34, Cardiff Arms Park
2022: Under-20 Six Nations: France U-20s 16 Ireland U-20s 17, Stade Maurice David, Aix-en-Provence
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Source: Irish Rugby