First Ireland women's U20 squad named for Italy trip

The first Ireland Women's U20 squad has been named ahead of their inaugural trip to Italy later this month.

Following a screening camp at the IRFU high performance centre, head coach Neill Alcorn has selected a group of 26 players.

There are three senior-capped internationals included in the squad, while a number of players who starred in the Celtic Challenge and for their provinces in last season’s Vodafone Interprovincial Championship have been selected.

Niamh O’Dowd, Emma Tilly and Leah Tarpey bring senior Ireland experience to the U20s squad, while the likes of Clara Barrett and Kate Flannery have previously impressed for the Ireland U18s in Six Nations Festival action.

The squad will come together for a week-long training camp before travelling to Rome on 21 July.

Alcorn’s side will train against Italy and Scotland at the Stadio Tommaso Fattori in L’Aquila, before going head-to-head in two 40-minutes matches on Friday, 28 July, exposing the players to valuable training and match time against international opposition.

Ireland Women's U20s Squad:

Forwards (14):

Amy O'Mahony (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) Caoimhe Guinan (Tullamore RFC/Leinster) Hannah Wilson (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) India Daley (Cooke RFC/Ulster) Ivana Kiripati (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht) Jane Neill (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) Karly Tierney (Tuam/Oughterard RFC/Connacht) Maebh Clenaghan (Queen's University/Ulster) Megan Collis (Railway Union RFC/Leinster) Niamh O'Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster) Ruth Campbell (MU Barnhall RFC/Leinster) Sarah Delaney (Cill Dara RFC/Leinster) Sarah Shrestha (Loughborough University/Ulster) Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Ulster)

Backs (12):

Abby Moyles (Blackrock RFC/Leinster) Cara Martin (Navan RFC/Leinster) Clara Barrett