Ireland head coach Andrew Browne has named his starting 15 for Saturday’s opening U20 Six Nations clash against France in Perpignan (Kick-off, 8pm Irish time).
Sami Bishti captains the side as Ireland open their 2026 Championship at Stade Aime Giral.
Noah Byrne, Derry Moloney and Daniel Ryan start in the Ireland back-three, with former PBC powerhouse James O’Leary partnering Johnny O’Sullivan in midfield and Christopher Barrett and recent Munster debutant Tom Wood in the half-backs.
In the pack, Max Doyle, Rian Handley and captain Bishti make up the the front row, while Dylan McNeice and Donnacha McGuire are named in the engine room. Josh Neill is selected at blindside flanker, Billy Hayes at openside, while Diarmaid O’Connell packs down at number eight.
On the bench, Duinn McGuire, Christian Foley, Blake McClean, Joe Finn and Ben Blaney provide the forward cover, with backs Fergus Callington, Charlie O’Shea and Ethan Black completing the matchday squad.
N Byrne (Leinster), D Moloney (Leinster), J O’Sullivan (Leinster), J O’Leary (Munster), D Ryan (Connacht), T Wood (Munster), C Barrett (Munster), M Doyle (Leinster), R Handley (Leinster), S Bishti (Leinster), D McNeice (Leinster), D McGuire (Leinster), J Neill (Leinster), B Hayes (Munster), D O’Connell (Connacht).
D Maguire (Leinster), C Foley (Munster), B McClean (Ulster), J Finn (Munster), B Blaney (Leinster), F Callington (IQ Rugby), C O’Shea (Munster), E Black (Leinster)
