Ireland Under-20s head coach Andrew Browne (Connacht) has named his team for Saturday's opening Six Nations clash against France in Perpignan (8 pm Irish time). Corinthians duo Daniel Ryan and Diarmuid O'Connell start, with UCD's Sami Bishti captaining the side at Stade Aime Giral.
Ireland had a torrid time in the 2025 tournament, finishing bottom of the U20 6 Nations table with just one win, against Scotland.
Ireland U20s (v France): Noah Byrne (Dublin University FC/Leinster), Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), Johnny O'Sullivan (Dublin University FC/Leinster), James O'Leary (UCC/Munster), Daniel Ryan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/Munster), Christopher Barrett (UCC/Munster); Max Doyle (UCD RFC/Leinster), Rian Handley (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Sami Bishti (UCD RFC/Leinster), Dylan McNeice (UCD RFC/Leinster), Donnacha McGuire (UCD RFC/Leinster), Josh Neill (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Billy Hayes (Garryowen FC/Munster), Diarmaid O’Connell (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
Replacements: Duinn Maguire (UCD RFC/Leinster), Christian Foley (Young Munster RFC/Munster), Blake McClean (Instonians RFC/Ulster), Joe Finn (Garryowen FC/Munster), Ben Blaney (Terenure College RFC/Leinster), Fergus Callington (Durham University/IQ Rugby), Charlie O’Shea (UCC RFC/Munster), Ethan Black (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
