Ireland u20s 6 nations and world championship 2026

Ireland U19s team named to face France tomorrow, looks a strong selection:

15. Fionn Rowsome (Garryowen RFC/Munster Rugby)

14. Harry Waters (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster Rugby)

13. Tom Bell (Regent House School/Ulster Rugby)

12. Bernard White (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)

11. Geoff O’Sullivan (Terenure College/Leinster Rugby)

10. Owen O’Kane (City of Armagh RFC/Ulster Rugby)

9. Connor McVicker (Belfast Royal Academy/Ulster Rugby)

1. Ben Guerin (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)

2. Joe Christle (St. Mary’s College/Leinster Rugby)

3. Harry Goslin (Belvedere College/Leinster Rugby) (capt)

4. Jamie Walsh (CC Roscrea/Munster Rugby)

5. Paddy Woods (Queen’s RFC/Ulster Rugby)

6. Jonathan Ginnety (Castleknock College/Leinster Rugby)

7. Jon Rodgers (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster Rugby)

8. Alex Lautsou (Shannon RFC/Munster Rugby)

Replacements:

16. Harry O’Neill (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)

17. James Gould (Wallace High School/Ulster Rugby)

18. Ollie Fitzsimmons (Wallace High School/Ulster Rugby)

19. Cian Butler (Portlaoise RFC/Leinster Rugby)

20. Adam Boyd (RBAI/Ulster Rugby)

21. Frankie Og Sheahan (PBC Cork/Munster Rugby)

22. Paul Neary (St. Mary’s College/Leinster Rugby)

23. Rourke O’Sullivan (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht Rugby)

24. Leo Anic (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht Rugby)

25. Josh Mooney (Terenure College/Leinster Rugby)

26. Daniel O’Connell (Garryowen RFC/Munster Rugby)

On top of this, you would add Josh Neill & Lee Fitzpatrick, both of whom were starters for the Irish U20s in the U20 6 Nations, and probably Arthur Ashmore (injured) who has looked excellent too.

Good to see Blackrock College not holding their players back from playing under-age

Back row is crazily competitive - of the three guys there, that's essentially the U18 Schools back row from the South Africa games last summer, so not hugely surprising to me. Boyd is probably predominantly an 8, and Lautsou is a big prospect who was in the wider U20s squad.

It won't get an easier too, because Josh Neill is a locked-in starter when he returns to this team - he was probably the best player a year young on the U20s, and I think there's a strong argument for Arthur Ashmore - who has been excellent for Terenure in 1A of the AIL all season, to muscle his way in there too.

only time i saw Boyd and Lautsau on the pitch at the same time was against south africa and Lautsau looked comfortably the better player, much more aggressive and much higher work rate. A lot can change in a few years though so who knows who'll start next year.

according to Reddit the u19s beat France 39-29 today with 3 backrowers scoring tries (Roger’s/Boyd/Lautsou) and Geoff O’Sullivan scoring two.

im sure the coaches will find away to include both Boyd & Lautsou.

think that’s what they call their u19 side.

Ireland u19 missing a few to the u20 squad, notably Fitzpatrick at hooker and Nathan Noble (hooker) also missing due to Christian-aid work in Africa.

hope the irfu have some video highlights, you can guarantee if france spanked us the french would have it all over their youtube.

For me- from the U18 schools I think Alex Moloney - the PBC/Munster centre looks the best back prospect, and Michael Smyth - Terenure/Leinster openside flanker is the best forward prospect.

From the U19 side - my back selection would be Bernard White - Blackrock/Leinster centre and my forward would be Harry Goslin - Belvedere / Leinster THP.

That's excluding Josh Neill (the best actual prospect at this level) and Lee Fitzpatrick who aren't currently in this side, but started for the 20s in the 6 Nations.

In the game against England the no.5 was impressive, Phil Lynch i think it is

What position does McVicker play?

He's a scrum half. Does look an excellent prospect, but I wouldn't necessarily share the view he'd have "walked onto the U20s this year", as Chris Barrett is himself an excellent prospect and was one of the best players on that side.

Agreed, I thought Barrett was an excellent trail runner, sniper and although small impressed me with some of his defensive work.

I'm not disputing how good he is - I've never said otherwise, and have actually praised him on this forum on a couple of occasions in the past:

So dunno why you keep posting like I'm denying his talent or anything.

All I said was - the guy who actually played at 9 in the U20 6 Nations was also an excellent prospect who equally has scope to be playing senior rugby very soon.

There are talks being held to expand U20s, but it's tough because currently their fixtures are aligned with men's and some unions are making good deals to promote these games, so wouldn't like to touch much.

But hey, as a Spaniard I'm happy that we have been up to standard when invited to U18 Festival. We beat Scotland last year, then snatched Euros against Georgia and now we've beaten Wales.

Havent heard much accurate information lately on the injuries to u20's players, a few promising players returning from injury but also a few new ones with doubts over Lee Fiztpatrick and Dylan McNiece and most worryingly Josh Neill. Whats the story with Symkovsky i read some where he came to ireland 4th year at blackrock which must put him close to the 5 year residency