Evan O'Connell named Ireland U20s captain

Evan O'Connell will captain the Ireland U20s for this season’s Six Nations campaign and is one of four players who were involved in last season’s Grand Slam win.

The Munster second row joins provincial team-mate Brian Gleeson, Ulster’s Joe Hopes and Connacht’s Hugh Gavin in their second year with the team, as part of a 31-man squad named by head coach Richie Murphy today.

"I got the call off Richie last Wednesday and I was over the moon," said O’Connell.

"It’s a massive honour for me and my family and I’m very proud to captain such a great squad."

There are 11 Leinster, eight Munster, seven Ulster and three Connacht players in the squad, as well as two Irish-qualified players, Patreece Bell and Will Wootton, both from Sale Sharks.

Ireland open their championship away in France before back-to-back home matches at Musgrave Park against Italy on Friday, 9 February (7.15pm) and Wales on Friday, 23 February (7.15pm).

Murphy’s side will then go head-to-head with England at The Recreation Ground in Bath on Friday, 8 March (7.15pm), before concluding the championship against Scotland in Cork on Friday, 15 March (7pm).

The Ireland squad, sponsored by PwC, have been building towards the Six Nations through a series of camps at the IRFU High Performance Centre, and played challenge matches against Italy, Munster Development and Leinster Development over the Christmas period.

Murphy also confirmed his coaching staff for the 2024 championship, with Willie Faloon (defence and lineout) and Aaron Dundon (scrum and contact coach) continuing in their roles and former Ireland international Ian Keatley joining the team as backs coach.

"We have been working hard for a number of weeks and it’s an exciting time for these young players, who have the