Ireland have been drawn in Pool C alongside Argentina, England and USA and will play all their Pool matches at the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi.

Having led Ireland in the U20 Men’s Six Nations, Sami Bishti will again captain the Ireland side. They will open their campaign against England on Saturday, 27 June (12.30pm Irish time).

Ireland then go head-to-head with Argentina on Match Day 2 on Thursday, 2 July (12.30pm Irish time), before concluding the Pool stages against USA in Tbilisi on Tuesday, 7 July (10am Irish time).

Ireland’s matches are live on Premier Sports and RugbyPass TV.

Head Coach’s Comments

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Head Coach Andrew Browne said:

“Building on from our Six Nations campaign, we have worked hard over a number of preparation camps and recent uncapped matches against Scotland and a Munster Development side.

“The World Rugby Junior World Championship is a fantastic challenge and an opportunity to test ourselves against the best teams in the world. We are aware of the challenges ahead, coming up against some quality sides in our Pool, but the players are excited for what lies ahead and are relishing the platform to grow and develop our performance levels in green.”

Ireland Men’s U20s Squad – 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship:

Forwards (17):

Sami Bishti (UCD/Leinster)(captain)
Ben Blaney (Terenure/Leinster)
Jamie Conway (Shannon/Munster)
Adam Cooper (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Max Doyle (UCD/Leinster)
Joe Finn (Garryowen/Munster)
Rían Handley (Old Wesley/Leinster)
Charlie Keane (Corinthians/Connacht)
Alex Lautsou (Shannon/Munster)
Duinn Maguire (UCD/Leinster)
Blake McClean (Instonians/Ulster)
Donnacha McGuire (UCD/Leinster)
Luke McLaughlin (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Dylan McNeice (UCD/Leinster)
Josh Neill (Old Wesley/Leinster)
Diarmaid O’Connell (Corinthians/Connacht)
Paddy Woods (Queen’s University/Ulster)

Backs (13):

Christopher Barrett (UCC/Munster)
Noah Byrne (Dublin University/Leinster)
Rob Carney (Cashel/Munster)
Jack Deegan (Blackrock/Leinster)
Daniel Green (Queen’s University/Ulster)
Charlie Molony (UCD/Leinster)
James O’Dwyer (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
James O’Leary (UCC/Munster)
Charlie O’Shea (UCC/Munster)
Johnny O’Sullivan (Dublin University/Leinster)
Daniel Ryan (Corinthians/Connacht)
Seán Walsh (Corinthians/Connacht)
Tom Wood (Garryowen/Munster).

Ireland Men’s U20s Fixtures – 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship:

Saturday, 27 June: Ireland v England, Avchala Stadium, 12.30pm Irish time

Thursday, 2 July: Ireland v Argentina, Avchala Stadium, 12.30pm Irish time

Tuesday, 7 July: Ireland v USA, Avchala Stadium, 10am Irish time.

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The game takes place at Stade Aime Giral, with kick-off at 8pm Irish time, and will be shown live on the RTÉ News Channel (Sky 517) as well as streamed on RTÉ Player, ensuring easy access for supporters across Ireland.

Byrne handed starting role in back three

Head coach Andrew Browne has named a youthful but well-balanced matchday squad, captained by tighthead prop Sami Bishti, with one of the standout selections being Noah Byrne at full-back.

Byrne, a former Dublin minor footballer, continues his impressive sporting journey by starting in the Ireland back three alongside Derry Moloney and Daniel Ryan. Comfortable under the high ball and composed in broken play, Byrne’s transition from Gaelic football to elite rugby has marked him out as one of the more intriguing prospects in the squad. His ability to read space and counter-attack could be key against a typically athletic French backline.

In midfield, Johnny O’Sullivan partners James O’Leary, while Christopher Barrett and Tom Wood link up at half-back, tasked with steering Ireland around the pitch in what is expected to be a high-tempo contest.

Strong UCD influence in the pack

Ireland’s pack features a strong Leinster core, with UCD well represented. Bishti captains the side from tighthead prop, packing down alongside Max Doyle and Rian Handley in the front row. Dylan McNeice and Donnacha McGuire form the second row partnership, while the back row of Josh Neill, Billy Hayes and Diarmaid O’Connell offers a blend of physicality and mobility.

Browne has also named a well-rounded bench, with impact options available across both forwards and backs should the game open up in the final quarter.

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Ireland U20s Squad Named to Face South Africa in Cork

The Ireland Men’s U20s, sponsored by PwC, have named a strong matchday squad for Friday night’s challenge match against South Africa U20s at Virgin Media Park in Cork (Kick-off 7.30pm).

Head Coach Andrew Browne has assembled an extended panel for a week-long training camp in Cork ahead of the new season, with several returning internationals included in the 23-man squad.

Leinster prop Sami Bishti will captain the side, with Charlie Molony, Tom Wood and Donnacha McGuire all back in green after impressing during last season’s U20 Six Nations campaign.

Former Dublin minor footballer and current Trinity College top try-scorer Noah Byrne starts at full-back, while the squad also features a blend of experience and exciting new talent from across the provinces.

Friday’s fixture offers a valuable early test for Browne and his coaching team as preparations ramp up for the 2026 U20 Six Nations, which kicks off in February. The match will allow the coaching staff to assess squad depth, combinations, and fitness levels against one of world rugby’s top age-grade sides.

Tickets are available now via
Ticketmaster.ie, and the match will be streamed live on
IrishRugby+, with coverage supported by PwC, the official sponsor of the Ireland U20s.

Ireland Men’s U20s Matchday Squad vs South Africa U20s

Friday, 7.30pm – Virgin Media Park, Cork

• 15. Noah Byrne (DUFC/Leinster)
• 14. Charlie Molony (UCD/Leinster)
• 13. Sean Walsh (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
• 12. James O’Leary (UCC/Munster)
• 11. Daniel Ryan (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
• 10. Tom Wood (Garryowen/Munster)
• 9. Christopher Barrett (UCC/Munster)

• 1. Max Doyle (UCD/Leinster)
• 2. Lee Fitzpatrick (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
• 3. Sami Bishti (UCD/Leinster) (captain)
• 4. Donnacha McGuire (UCD/Leinster)
• 5. Dylan McNeice (UCD/Leinster)
• 6. Joe Finn (Garryowen/Munster)
• 7. Arthur Ashmore (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
• 8. Diarmaid O’Connell (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)

Replacements

• 16. Rian Handley (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
• 17. Christian Foley (Young Munster RFC/Munster)
• 18. Blake McClean (Instonians RFC/Ulster)
• 19. Sean Walsh (MU Barnhall RFC/Leinster)
• 20. Michael O’Sullivan (UCC/Munster)
• 21. Fergus Callington (Durham University/IQ Rugby)
• 22. Conor O’Shaughnessy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
• 23. Johnny O’Sullivan (DUFC/Leinster)

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