World Rugby U20 final: Ireland v France - All you need to know

The World Rugby Under-20 Championship of 2023 has been a challenging one both on and off the pitch for this Irish team.

On top of the gruelling schedule which will see them play five games in 24 days, the deaths of Greig Oliver, as well as Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall in recent weeks have at times put the significance of their championship into perspective.

On Friday night, Richie Murphy's side have the chance to do what no Irish team - whether it be the senior men, women, U19 or U20 - has ever done, and become world champions when they take on France in the final at Athlone Sports Stadium in Cape Town (6pm Irish time).

They've already matched their previous best record in the competition in reaching the decider, equalling the 2016 side which made it to the final in England.

So many of that U20 team from seven years ago have gone on to be household names; James Ryan, Andrew Porter, Jacob Stockdale and Hugo Keenan are now among the biggest names in Irish rugby, while Jimmy O'Brien, Max Deegan, Shane Daly have all won Test caps and are established players with the provinces.

The success those players have gone on to achieve adds another layer of intrigue to this current team. Who from the Class of 2023 will go on and become the stars of the URC and Six Nations down the line?

This current U20 side have already gone one better than the 2016 vintage though by winning a Six Nations title.

Down the years, Ireland have generally struggled in the summer tournaments, with 2023 being just the third time they've even reached a semi-final, but even if they lose Friday's decider, Murphy's side have proven they can compete with the best of both hemispheres.

TV

Ireland U20 v France U20 is live on Virgin Media 2, with kick-off at 6pm. The game