Gus McCarthy captains Ireland for U20 Six Nations opener in Wales

Gus McCarthy will captain Ireland as they begin their 2023 Under-20 Six Nations campaign against Wales at Stadiwm CSM on Friday night.

Head coach Richie Murphy named the side on Wednesday afternoon, selecting three players to start who featured during last year's Grand Slam-winning campaign.

Leinster duo Diarmuid Mangan and Conor O’Tighearnaigh start in the second row, while Ulster back row James McNabney is named at blindside flanker.

Additionally, Sam Prendergast, George Hadden, and Harry West played during the U20s Summer Series in Italy last year, ensuring Murphy’s squad contains valuable experience heading into the championship opener.

Prendergast, the younger brother of Ireland international Cian, starts at out-half in a half-back pairing with Fintan Gunne. Hugh Cooney and John Devine are named in the midfield, with James Nicholson, Ike Anagu and Hugh Gavin selected in the back three.

Up front, Hadden is joined in the front row by skipper McCarthy and Paddy McCarthy, the younger brother of Ireland second row Joe.

Mangan and O’Tighearnaigh are in the engine room, with McNabney and Munster duo Ruadhán Quinn and Brian Gleeson in the back row.

"We are excited to get the Six Nations underway in Wales on Friday night, following a good period of preparation for the group," said Murphy.

"The squad have come together well over the last couple of weeks, gelling both on and off the pitch, and we have now turned the focus this week to performance."

Ireland U20s: 15 James Nicholson (UCD/Leinster), 14 Ike Anagu (La Rochelle/IQ Rugby), 13 Hugh Cooney (Clontarf/Leinster), 12 John Devine (Corinthians/Connacht), 11 Hugh Gavin (Galwegians/Connacht); 10 Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster), 9 Fintan Gunne (Terenure/Leinster); 1 George Hadden