Fiachna Barrett (left) and Harry West have been included in the Ireland squad for the World Under 20 Rugby Championships in South Africa. Photo: Sportsfile
Former Ballina RFC players Fiachna Barrett and Harry West have been named in the 30-man Ireland squad for the World Under 20 Rugby Championships.
The tournament, taking place in the Cape Town region of South Africa, returns for the first time since 2019, running over five match days from June 24 to July 14.
Ireland head coach Richie Murphy has retained consistency in selection from the Grand Slam-winning campaign earlier this season, with 26 of the 30 players going to South Africa having featured in the Under 20 Six Nations – including Barrett, from Erris, and Ballina native West.
Forwards Ronan Foxe, Max Clein and Dan Barron along with scrum-half Jack Oliver are the four uncapped players in the travelling party, with Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy named to captain the side having led Ireland to Six Nations glory in March.
For the World Under 20 Rugby Chmapionships, Ireland have been paired in Pool B alongside England, Australia and Fiji, with Murphy’s side playing all three of their pool matches at Paarl Gymnasium in the Western Cape.
Ireland open their campaign against Six Nations rivals England on Saturday, June 24 (1.30 p.m. local time/12.30 p.m. Irish time), before facing Australia on Thursday, June 29 (11 a.m. local time/10 a.m. Irish time) and Fiji on Tuesday, July 4 (1.30 p.m. local time/12.30 p.m. Irish time).
Speaking ahead of the squad’s departure for South Africa, the Ireland head coach said: “It is an exciting time for the squad as we prepare to depart for South Africa for the World Rugby Under 20 Championships. It has been four years since the last edition of the tournament and we’re looking forward to getting to Cape Town to test ourselves against the world’s best teams.
“It has been a competitive couple of weeks as the squad have pushed each other in preparation for the tournament and we know we’ll need to grow and evolve as a team from the Six Nations for what will be a challenging couple of weeks against quality opposition in South Africa.”
Murphy also confirmed his coaching staff for the tournament, with Mark Sexton (backs and attack) and Aaron Dundon (scrum and contact) continuing in their roles, while Andrew Browne joins as defence and lineout coach as Willie Faloon is unable to travel due to personal reasons.
Feargal O’Rourke, managing partner with sponsors PwC Ireland, commented: “Developing young talent is a strategic imperative for PwC. We are determined to nurture the aspirations of future leaders, in business and in sport. The dedication and teamwork that the Under 20s show is always exceptional and mirrors our own values at PwC.
“We wish them the best of luck for the upcoming World Rugby Under 20 Championships in South Africa and we have no doubt they can continue the success from the Six Nations.”
World Rugby will confirm broadcast details for the World Rugby Under 20 Championships shortly, while there will be coverage of Ireland’s progress throughout the tournament on IrishRugby.ie and Irish Rugby social media platforms.
As well as Barrett (now with Corinthians) and West (now with Buccaneers), the other Connacht players in the squad are John Devine (Corinthians) and Hugh Gavin (Galwegians).