Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France
36 - 31
FT
World Rugby U20 Championship

Ireland make one change for World Rugby U20 Championship final

Ruadhan Quinn of Ireland U20 celebrates after winning the match during the World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 semi final match between Ireland and South Africa. South Africa. (Photo by World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Ireland U20 flanker James McNabney will return from his two-match ban to start against France U20 on Friday in the World Rugby U20 Championship final in the only change head coach Richie Murphy has made from the team that beat South Africa U20 in the semi-final.

ADVERTISEMENT

McNabney was handed the ban for a dangerous tackle against Australia U20 in round two, but returns to start in the final, forcing Diarmuid Mangan to move from the back-row to the second-row and meaning Charlie Irvine drops to the bench.

There are two changes on the bench, with Max Clein replacing Danny Sheahan at hooker and Irvine replacing Dan Barron.

Murphy said: “The entire group are fully focused on producing our best performance of the season on Friday night because we know we’ll need it against a very strong France team. We have made good progress throughout the tournament but we will need to fine-tune all areas of our game for the final.

“The players and staff are excited about the challenge ahead and we look forward to representing Ireland in the World Rugby U20 Championship final. The level of support we have received from back home throughout has been incredible and a major boost for everyone, and we will do everything to finish the season on the ultimate high.”

Ireland U20s
15. Henry McErlean (Terenure/Leinster)
14. Andrew Osborne (Naas/Leinster)
13. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
12. John Devine (Corinthians/Connacht)
11. James Nicholson (UCD/Leinster)
10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)
9. Fintan Gunne (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
1. Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
2. Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)(captain)
3. Ronan Foxe (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
4. Diarmuid Mangan (UCD/Leinster)
5. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
6. James McNabney (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
7. Ruadhan Quinn (Old Crescent RFC/Munster)
8. Brian Gleeson (Garryowen/Munster)

Replacements
16. Max Clein (Garryowen/Munster)
17. George Hadden (Clontarf/Leinster)
18. Fiachna Barrett (Corinthians/Connacht)
19. Charlie Irvine (Queen’s University/Ulster)
20. Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
21. Oscar Cawley (Naas/Leinster)
22. Matthew Lynch (Dublin University/Leinster)
23. Sam Berman (Dublin University/Leinster)

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Argentina v France | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Men's Match Highlights

New Zealand v Australia | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Women's Match Highlights

Tokyo Sungoliath vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Reds vs Force | Super Rugby W 2025 | Full Match Replay

Behind the Scenes with the Australian Rugby Sevens Team in Hong Kong | HSBC SVNS Embedded | Episode 9

The Rise of Kenya | The Report

New Zealand in Hong Kong | Brady Rush | Sevens Wonders | Episode 4

The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

Trending on RugbyPass

1

Duhan van der Merwe injury update leaves Andy Farrell with a dilemma

2

Bath Rugby turnover breaks £20m but losses increase

3

Gloucester Rugby accounts reveal £3 million drop in turnover

4

Exeter Chiefs close to revealing new attack and backs coach

5

Duhan van der Merwe's Lions tour thrown into doubt

6

Multiple clubs swarming to lure Chris Harris from Gloucester

7

Women’s Six Nations: 4 things we learned in round two

8

Finn Russell apologises for role in incident that broke female rugby fan's wrist

Comments

2 Comments
M
Mary 628 days ago

Looking forward to this game and very sure Ireland can take it. 🇮🇪

W
Wallabies_Larkham 628 days ago

Wish them well

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

LONG READ

Clermont's comeback gathers pace as fallen European heavyweights plot path to redemption

After the golden years of Rougerie, Parra, Fofana and Keyser, Clermont's fall was swift but there are signs the tide is turning

LONG READ

Four Australians racing into contention to face the Lions

Reds prop Alex Hodgman, ACT blindside Tom Hooper, NSW No.8 Langi Gleeson and Force No.10 Ben Donaldson are all pushing hard for selection.

LONG READ

How does a World Rugby consultant help emerging nations?

Often unseen but hugely influential, these wise rugby owls play a crucial part in growing the sport across the world.

Comments on RugbyPass

f
fl 7 minutes ago
'He's a special player': Lawrence Dallaglio backs Henry Pollock to be Lions bolter

on what basis is earl a better 7 than 8?

his best test level performances have all been at 8. He’s a great club level openside, but has only ever performed well there in international rugby when there has been a specialist openside elsewhere in the back row who is able to share the defensive workload.


you’re right that Pollock won’t go to the Lions, but he’s a much better 8 than he is a 7. That’s because - like Earl - his carrying game is immense but his defensive workrate is a step behind players like Curry, Curry, Underhill, and Pepper.

11 Go to comments
f
fl 11 minutes ago
'He's a special player': Lawrence Dallaglio backs Henry Pollock to be Lions bolter

he’s never played 6

11 Go to comments
S
Spew_81 40 minutes ago
Can Samoa and Tonga ever become contenders when their top talent is skimmed?

Agree. I was replying to JHW’s comment.


Most tier one nations, apart from the Pumas and the Springboks are guilty of poaching tier two talent.


It will keep happening until the eligibility rules are properly fixed.

9 Go to comments
J
JD Kiwi 42 minutes ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

I meant my theory that you're angling for a job in Australia 😂

91 Go to comments
N
NB 51 minutes ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

Qld really have three #4 locks and only one #5. Liam Wright is the best pure lineout caller at the club by a distance.

91 Go to comments
N
NB 52 minutes ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

That is because you are not aware of anything that has happened in rugby in the last 10 years, or possibly ever since professionalism started!

91 Go to comments
N
NB 54 minutes ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

England don’t have a great record of enticing back coaches they have previously discarded! Farrell, Shaun Edwards and SL all fall into that category. Few can be bothered with all the damaging politicking that goes on behind the arras at Twickers.

91 Go to comments
N
NB 57 minutes ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

I don’t entirely agree with it, though I would say Stuart is still in the process of finding where his unique skill set fits best.

91 Go to comments
N
NB 58 minutes ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

Twas funny👍

91 Go to comments
N
NB 59 minutes ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

Yep great point. The key is adaptation. If those older coaches find ways to keep evolving they already have a knowledge base few can match.

91 Go to comments
N
NB 1 hour ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

I think the coaches club is more cutthroat in Soccer. Manager turnover in the Prem is insane so maybe that accounts for the younger profile?


In rugby it’s a bit more gentlemanly, once you’re in - you’re in. In future I can still see those coaches with a longer professional memory staying at the top. It’s a hard thing to imitate all that experience - so you still have Hansen, Henry, Deans, Smithy etc coaching well into their 60’s.

91 Go to comments
N
NB 1 hour ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

Aye.

91 Go to comments
N
NB 1 hour ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

Thanks JD. Looks like the piece deserved far more exposure than it got!

91 Go to comments
N
NB 1 hour ago
Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

He had a lot of unfortunate moments with discipline, just short periods of utter recklessness more than anything else PB. Those tend to be highlighted more at international level when retribution comes swiftly!

91 Go to comments
L
LuigiCavelier 1 hour ago
Why the ‘State of Origin’ will have a big say in Schmidt’s Wallabies selection

Being an artist in New York, I rely heavily on online platforms to showcase and sell my work. One day, I was approached by a gallery claiming to offer international exposure for my art. They promised to feature my pieces in exhibitions and connect me with global buyers. Excited by the opportunity, I agreed to their terms, which included an upfront payment of $3000 to cover administrative fees. The gallery’s contact person stopped responding to my emails, and when I tried to visit their address, it turned out to be fake. I realized I had fallen victim to a scam. Feeling betrayed and frustrated, I didn’t know where to turn. That’s when I discovered Muyern Trust Hacker on ( Te le gram at muyerntrusthackertech )  I reached out to them, providing all the details I had: the gallery’s information, transaction records, and emails from the scammer. They worked tirelessly with international authorities to track the funds and initiate the recovery process. Within a few weeks, they successfully returned the $3000 to me. The relief I felt was overwhelming. Not only did I get my money back, but I also learned valuable lessons about verifying opportunities and being cautious with upfront payments. They are true professionals who go above and beyond to help their clients. Thanks to them, I can now focus on creating and sharing my art without the burden of losing hard-earned money to scammers. Here is their mail for efficient resolution: (muyerntrusted(@) ma il - me(.) c o m )

78 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
All Black's England switch hanging by a thread

You’re talking about the English Premiership here Andrew, what do you think it is?

22 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
All Black's England switch hanging by a thread

Like BA said, only thing wrong with Shields when he left was his hands.


He basically started his career as Julian finished his (AB wise). If whatever hes done to fix that problem he’d have probably been the frontline 6 (a weak position as it were).


Whether it has anything to do with playing up north (maybe he had to simply his game for their level of play?) we don’t know.

22 Go to comments
L
LuigiCavelier 1 hour ago
Mick Cleary: 'England are back among the heavyweights.'

Being an artist in New York, I rely heavily on online platforms to showcase and sell my work. One day, I was approached by a gallery claiming to offer international exposure for my art. They promised to feature my pieces in exhibitions and connect me with global buyers. Excited by the opportunity, I agreed to their terms, which included an upfront payment of $3000 to cover administrative fees. The gallery’s contact person stopped responding to my emails, and when I tried to visit their address, it turned out to be fake. I realized I had fallen victim to a scam. Feeling betrayed and frustrated, I didn’t know where to turn. That’s when I discovered Muyern Trust Hacker on ( Te le gram at muyerntrusthackertech )  I reached out to them, providing all the details I had: the gallery’s information, transaction records, and emails from the scammer. They worked tirelessly with international authorities to track the funds and initiate the recovery process. Within a few weeks, they successfully returned the $3000 to me. The relief I felt was overwhelming. Not only did I get my money back, but I also learned valuable lessons about verifying opportunities and being cautious with upfront payments. They are true professionals who go above and beyond to help their clients. Thanks to them, I can now focus on creating and sharing my art without the burden of losing hard-earned money to scammers. Here is their mail for efficient resolution: (muyerntrusted(@) ma il - me(.) c o m )

20 Go to comments
R
Rodrigo N 1 hour ago
Can Samoa and Tonga ever become contenders when their top talent is skimmed?

Yes Spew, I can understand this. I wasn't referring only to NZ but in general, mainly including the NH nations.

9 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
All Black's England switch hanging by a thread

Both statements off the mark for me HHT.


Agree that he was in a very different position to those other names though.

22 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Bath Rugby turnover breaks £20m but losses increase Bath Rugby turnover breaks £20m but losses increase
Search