Head Coach Neil Doak has named his Ireland Men’s U20s Squad, sponsored by PwC, who are celebrating their 20th year of supporting Irish Rugby, for the upcoming 2025 U20 Six Nations.
Connacht back row Éanna McCarthy has been named as captain ahead of the opening fixture of the 2025 Championship against England at Virgin Media Park on Thursday, 30 January.
There are seven returning players who were involved in last year’s Six Nations campaign and World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa, with forwards Alex Usanov, Alex Mullan, Alan Spicer, Mikey Yarr, Billy Corrigan and Henry Walker included at this age-grade for a second year, while scrum-half Will Wootton also previously featured for Ireland U20s during the 2024 season.
The Ireland U20s squad have been building towards the Six Nations through a series of camps at the IRFU High Performance Centre, while challenge matches against Italy and Leinster Development over the Christmas period have aided preparations.
Ireland follow their opener against England in Cork with a trip to Edinburgh in Round 2 to face Scotland on Saturday, 8 February (Kick-off 7.45pm).
Doak’s side then travel to Rodney Parade on Friday, 21 February (Kick-off 7.45pm) before welcoming France to Virgin Media Park for a Round 4 showdown on Friday, 7 March (Kick-off 8pm).
The Championship concludes with an away clash against Italy in Treviso on Friday, 14 March (Kick-off 7.45pm).
“We have been working hard for a number of weeks and it’s an exciting time for these young players, who have the honour of representing the wider group in the Six Nations,” said Doak speaking at yesterday’s squad announcement and media day at PwC headquarters in Dublin.
“We, as coaches, have pushed the players over the last number of months and I have been impressed by their work-rate, commitment, and application. Now our focus turns to performance and the opening game against England, which we know will be a big challenge first up.”
“We are looking forward to the opportunities over the coming weeks and are excited by the prospect of an Ireland U20s team returning to Six Nations action at Virgin Media Park in Cork, where we always have huge support.”
“This year we celebrate 20 years of supporting the Ireland U20s Rugby Team, and we are immensely proud of this long standing partnership and the success achieved to date,” added Enda McDonagh, Managing Partner at PwC Ireland.
“PwC’s sponsorship goes beyond financial support, it is about fostering a strong culture of talent, leadership and performance excellence.”
“We are excited about the launch of the 2025 Six Nations U20s Championship and supporting Ireland’s next generation. As the team embarks on their upcoming Six Nations journey, we wish them the very best of luck and look forward to cheering them on to success. #FutureIsGreen.”
Tickets for Ireland’s home matches at Virgin Media Park in Cork are available to purchase now via Ticketmaster.ie.
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
20 years of a sporting sponsorship is worth celebrating and doing so with the underage structures on which the success of the senior teams is based is even more noteworthy.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The opening game is a cracker against England at Virgin Media Park in Cork on Thursday, January 30th.
MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
The IRFU and PwC are Pinergy and Munster Rugby are both among the 300 member organisations that make up the Sport for Business community. PwC are our Partners for the Annual Sport for Business PwC 30 Under 30 which will launch for nominations this year on Thursday, 30th January.
ALL TICKETS FOR THE SPORTING YEAR AHEAD ARE NOW SOLD OUT
The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations, including all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies.
