England overcame a red card to forward Junior Kpoku just 13 minutes into the first half to pick up a first Under-20s win in Ireland since 2017.
The defending U20 champions even went down to 13 players at one point after captain Tom Burrow was shown a yellow card, but still had too much power for Ireland. England were kept in front by the boot of fly-half Ben Coen before they were awarded a penalty try in the second half.
There was little argument with Kpoku’s sending off, after he made contact with the head of Ireland centre Eoghan Smyth with a high and late tackle. The Racing 92 player will now face a disciplinary hearing and could miss a substantial chunk of England’s campaign.
Under the new law for the Six Nations, players can be shown a 20-minute red card for technical offences, or a permanent red card for “deliberate and dangerous” foul play. The referee, France’s Jeremy Rozier, opted for the former, meaning that England brought on George Timmins to replace Kpoku after 20 minutes had elapsed.
Still, with England’s scrum on top and Coen’s accuracy off the tee, England held a 9-3 half-time lead having played with a lively Cork wind at their backs.
This Irish side has undergone almost a total makeover since last summer’s U20 World Championship, with only seven survivors in the 31-player squad and a new captain in Eanna McCarthy and head coach in Neil Doak.
As Doak noted afterwards, his side had a number of entries into England’s 22 – nine – but were unable to convert those chances beyond one penalty from fly-half Sam Wisniewski.
Even if England’s lineout and driving maul were inaccurate in tricky conditions, their power runners – Kepu Tuipulotu, Billy Sela, Olamide Sodeke and Henry Pollock – gradually ground down Ireland’s defence. Kane James, the Exeter No 8, was deservedly named player of the match and finished with 20 tackles.
The game’s only try came when Ireland through Oisin Minogue illegally stopped an England maul which looked destined to score. That made it 16-3 to Mark Mapletoft’s side and despite Ireland seemingly always winning the ball back from restarts to launch attacks from promising positions, England’s defence held firm, including in the final moment of the game when Josh Bellamy and James fittingly bundled Charlie Molony into touch.
France, England’s beaten opponents in last summer’s U20 World Championship final, now await next week at The Rec.
09:59 PM GMT
That’s all from us
Thanks for following and see you tomorrow for the first game of the men’s Six Nations with France hosting Wales.
09:57 PM GMT
Ireland coach Neil Doak
Not disappointed with the performance, obviously with the result. We lost the penalty count and had nine entries in England’s 22 yet only came away with three points. We talked all week about in these big games it’s being clinical in the right areas of the field, and unfortunately tonight we spilt a few balls and a couple of set-pieces didn’t go our way.
09:55 PM GMT
England captain Tom Burrow
All credit to Ireland, they were a strong outfit and we knew that coming here. Great to start with a win away from home, such a special place. Delighted.
Our discipline has to improve, we probably let ourselves down in that first 40. But that brotherhood came through. We speak a lot about being a tightknit group and when we were back to 15 we played some rugby.
Kane is mega, so physical for his size. Ben kept us in the game and managed us really well.
09:53 PM GMT
Ireland captain Éanna McCarthy
Course we’re disappointed. All the hard work went in the last few weeks but England are a very good side, a lot of big names in their team. We created opportunies but just couldn’t convert, whereas England did.
09:52 PM GMT
Top tacklers for England
Henry Pollock - 20
Kane James - 20
Olamide Sodeke - 17
Tom Burrow - 14
Ben Coen - 12
09:51 PM GMT
Player of the match Kane James
Real tough game, tough conditions. The boys really dug deep in there to graft out the win. Faced some real adversity with the cards but we stuck in and got the win in the end.
Tough to go down to 13 men but it shows the brotherhood of this team to fight through adversity, credit to the boys.
Ben Coen was really outstanding, trusty boot. Credit to the boys for fighting until the end.
09:46 PM GMT
FULL-TIME: Ireland 3-19 England
Ireland trying to end on a high through the maul, then their backs. They’re five metres out, coming to the short side as Molony goes for the corner but is thumped into touch by Bellamy! Great tackle late on and James is in there too to force Ireland out.
England get the win, their first in Ireland in the U20 Six Nations since 2017.
09:44 PM GMT
PENALTY COEN! Ireland 3-19 England
Scola and Ainsworth-Cave on for the final minutes replacing McEachran and Sodeke in England’s pack. Coen continues his perfect night with a fourth penalty out of four.
09:42 PM GMT
78 mins - Ireland 3-16 England
James the England No 8 is named player of the match - he’s made 18 tackles so far and won a turnover along with seven carries for 42 metres.
Sela off for Raymont with a few minutes to go. Pollock with a good leg drive to get out of a tackle, making ground, and now Ireland are pinged for not rolling. England looking to end on a high as Pollock is stripped. From the penalty England will take a shot.
09:39 PM GMT
76 mins - Ireland 3-16 England
Ireland with a decent shove at the scrum but that will be reset. Friday with a great dart, popping the ball to Bellamy who can’t quite bring it in. Ireland having to attack from deep though and the clock is against them.
09:38 PM GMT
74 mins - Ireland 3-16 England
Handling conditions are definitely not easy, as both teams knock on. Tuipulotu comes off after a long stint, replaced by Gulley.
Doyle at scrum-half tries to take a free-kick quickly but it goes forward off his hands. Sums up Ireland’s attacking issues in many ways. Lilley on for Allison.
09:34 PM GMT
72 mins - Ireland 3-16 England
Lineout stolen by Ireland! They go right then try to sweep left down the short side but Mangan’s pass to Foy is rushed and goes into touch.
Bellamy on for Kinder, who has done well for England. Another lineout for the visitors near their line which is taken well by Timmins, before England maul and then clear through Friday. In fact Ireland are pinged for playing the No 9, so it’s a penalty.
09:33 PM GMT
70 mins - Ireland 3-16 England
Friday and Kinder can’t get to grips with the wet bouncing ball and Ireland earn a scrum inside England’s 22. Huge chance for the hosts, they have to score here really.
McCarthy with the pick-and-go, England’s defence up quickly. Now a chip over the top which England don’t deal with! Foy has the line ahead of him but the flanker is stopped by a chasing tap tackle from Kinder, before Friday’s counter-ruck forces the ball into touch. That looked borderline illegal, was Friday in from the side? Regardless, we play on with England’s lineout five metres from their line.
09:29 PM GMT
PENALTY TRY! Ireland 3-16 England
Long check here by the TMO to find the right angle, it’s a tight call. Think he was first checking for a disconnect at the maul but there’s no evidence of that.
They’re now checking the actions of Minogue, the replacement back-row. He’s deemed to have collapsed it illegally so this will be a penalty try for England and a yellow card for Minogue.
09:26 PM GMT
69 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
Walsh on for Ronan in Ireland’s second row, as Coen chips that into touch. Is this their moment?
Won by Burrow, maul working well, looks good... it’s held up! That’s amazing work if so but the TMO is going to have a look.
09:24 PM GMT
67 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
Another England penalty for offside as they try another maul from the lineout, this one on Ireland’s 22. Ronan takes that down - “speedbumps” as the referee calls it - and England will go to the corner.
09:22 PM GMT
64 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
Maul has been a bit sloppy for England as Tuipulotu drops the ball at the base. Conditions are rough but even so, that’s a key weapon for them which hasn’t quite fired.
From the knock-on Ireland get a bit of momentum... and then given up a penalty for a neck roll by McCarthy. England clear.
09:19 PM GMT
63 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
Green on for Wisniewski so a reshuffle for Ireland’s backline. Tuipulotu and Sela try a short lineout but it doesn’t go five metres.
Another long bouncing kick pins England back and Kinder does well to get out of trouble, before McAllister gives away a breakdown penalty and England clear.
09:17 PM GMT
61 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
England’s powerful carriers warming up now, big runs from Sela and Tuipulotu as they pick up the pace, but Magee and McCarthy combine well for a turnover penalty which means Ireland escape again.
From a lineout on halfway Fahy reclaims a chip, but Wisniewski then kicks away possesion and England win the kicking battle after Moloney kicks out on the full.
09:14 PM GMT
58 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
Ireland around 30 metres out but this England defence has held up well all game long. Better with Mangan looking for work off his wing, now wide to the other side from Wisniewski with a cross kick which Griffin takes really well for England.
It’s then hacked on and Ireland are panicking, the ball slipping out of Wisniewski’s hands before O’Leary is pounced on and Ireland seal off. Penalty England five metres out and they go to the corner... but England are pinged for too many receivers! Technical call rightly allows Ireland to escape.
09:11 PM GMT
56 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
Green on for Smyth in Ireland’s midfield. Ireland try a cross-field kick but Coen does well to drive Foy into touch.
But, Ireland work hard to turn over the maul with Foy making amends and getting under the ball. Ireland’s scrum.
09:08 PM GMT
54 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
Bracken pinged for a deliberate knock-on stopping Ireland’s attack, so this might be more than a penalty. Were there England defenders there to cover? I would say so, so that will stay as a penalty only.
Points or corner for Ireland? Wisniewski going for goal. Logan offering some help by holding the ball on the tee for Wisniewski, and the kick fades wide to the right.
09:05 PM GMT
53 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
Wisniewski nearly with a 50:22 but Kinder does brilliantly to flick the ball back in before England clear. Still, it’s an Ireland lineout on the 22. What can they come up with.
09:03 PM GMT
51 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
England’s attack struggling to find much of a breakthrough as Friday knocks on at the base, meaning an Ireland scrum in their half. Magee and McAllister on in the front row for Ireland.
09:02 PM GMT
50 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
Now an Ireland free-kick at the scrum, Sela the one singled out for going too early. What can the hosts build from here.
England’s defence up fast through Burrow, then Sodeke, forcing Ireland back over halfway. Logan kicks high and Kinder does well to not juggle the ball, before England and Friday clear high with a box-kick.
09:00 PM GMT
48 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
Steadier scrum from Ireland who then clear, and battling that wind Kinder knocks on trying to claim the catch. Tricky spiral kick from Wisniewski. Big 60-metre gain for Ireland.
08:59 PM GMT
46 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
Ireland close to a great counter-ruck but Bohan then plays Friday off the ball at the ruck and with the new rules protecting scrum-halves, that’s a penalty.
One of England’s best mauls, Tuipulotu carrying well. They’re 10 metres out, quick pass but Sodeke knocks on! Good chance missed there for England. Ireland’s scrum deep in their 22.
08:57 PM GMT
44 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
More scrum pressure on Ireland, Mullan dropping his bind on the engage. England’s lineout on Ireland’s 22 but Foy does well to steal that and Wisniewski with the wind can clear.
08:55 PM GMT
42 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
England infront of the kicker to start the half, which is sloppy.
Ireland’s scrum creaks a bit but they get the ball away. Wind works against Ireland there with Molony’s kick catching it and bouncing over England’s dead-ball line, giving the visitors an attacking scrum on Ireland’s 10-metre line.
08:52 PM GMT
Teams heading back out
Will shout if any changes but can’t see any so far. Still a swirling rain over Cork and England going into the wind during this half.
08:43 PM GMT
Here’s the video of the Kpoku red card tackle
08:38 PM GMT
HALF-TIME: Ireland 3-9 England
Massive scrum from England’s pack back to a full compliment, which earns them another penalty. Tapped and chipped into touch by Coen and that’s half-time.
No tries but England have done well to be ahead despite the red card for Kpoku and yellow for captain Burrow. Ireland yet to find a way through England’s defence out wide, while the defending champions look a little rusty once the ball moves through the backs.
Second half coming up.
08:36 PM GMT
39 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
Good scrum from Ireland before McCarthy carries well off the base. But, Pollock gets in the breakdown really well and forces a turnover, winning a scrum.
08:34 PM GMT
38 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
England’s scrum, five metres from their line, and it’s utter chaos. James tries to carry off the base and forces a pass which goes to ground, Friday trying to mop up but forced to ground it giving Ireland a five-metre scrum. Big scrap breaks out, you can see Sodeke in there (given he’s 6ft 9).
The referee has a chat with both captains and we play on. Burrow also back so England back to a full 15 for the first time in an age.
08:32 PM GMT
35 mins - Ireland 3-9 England
Same story from the restart, Ireland going deep and applying pressure to win a penalty through Foy at the breakdown. Wisniewski kicks to the corner...
That’s the end of the 20-minute red card, so Timmins replaces Kpoku and England are back to 14. And with that extra man they do well to stop Ireland’s maul and win the turnover.
08:30 PM GMT
PENALTY COEN! Ireland 3-9 England
Really sharp off the tee so far, with Coen adding his third penalty through the middle. England’s lead back to six.
08:28 PM GMT
34 mins - Ireland 3-6 England
Clear that England want to squeeze Ireland with their maul, before Friday on at scrum-half for McParland chips a great kick over the top into the corner. Ireland pinned back deep five metres from their line...
Actually, we’re coming back for a high tackle on Allison by Wisniewski. Penalty only, Coen going for the posts.
08:26 PM GMT
PENALTY WISNIEWSKI! Ireland 3-6 England
It took half an hour but Ireland finally add some points. England’s defence giving up penalties but held them well there.
08:25 PM GMT
30 mins - Ireland 0-6 England
One area where Ireland have done well so far is winning back their restarts, and this is another promising sttack. They’re into England’s 22 and have the numerical advantage. Now England go offside. Close enough you would think for Wisniewski to have a go at the posts.
08:23 PM GMT
PENALTY COEN! Ireland 0-6 England
Using that wind it’s another good Coen strike. England might be down to 13 but they have the lead.
08:22 PM GMT
27 mins - Ireland 0-3 England
England clear long into Ireland’s half, and then Walker goes off his feet for Ireland to gift England a penalty and a big swing in terms of field position.
Coen going for the posts.
08:19 PM GMT
YELLOW CARD BURROW!
Ireland building well when Burrow slaps the ball out of Logan’s hands at the bottom of a ruck. England now down to 13 players! What will Ireland do with the penalty? Wisniewski facing into that wind goes to the corner... but overcooks it and it lands dead.
08:18 PM GMT
24 mins - Ireland 0-3 England
Waiting for a real moment of quality from either side to open up the defences. Wisniewski’s wide ball well contained by England, but Ireland eventually get a penalty after Pollock fails to roll away.
08:16 PM GMT
24 mins - Ireland 0-3 England
Free-kick now goes England’s way at the scrum. Hoofed high but Moloney makes a good take on Ireland’s wing. The hosts moving the ball deep in their own half, which invites trouble, before Logan clears with a box-kick.
Taken by Kinder, Ireland trying to counter-ruck but held off. A rare Pollock carry before Coen takes too long over a cross-field kick and is charged down, allowing Ireland to clear.
08:13 PM GMT
21 mins - Ireland 0-3 England
Usanov can’t continue and is replaced by Bohan at loosehead prop. Ireland’s scrum on their 22 and that’s a steadier effort, before Logan clears with a box-kick.
Taken by Griffin in the air but then Ireland turn it over, McParland too slow playing the ball. Ireland’s scrum on halfway.
08:10 PM GMT
19 mins - Ireland 0-3 England
England with that seven-man scrum with huge penalty! Great power as Usanov comes under pressure from Sela that time.
England find touch outside the 22, go for the maul won by Sodeke. Couple of carries but then ball goes forward in midfield, Allison and Kinder not on the same page.
08:07 PM GMT
17 mins - Ireland 0-3 England
Killer penalty against Ireland at the maul for obstruction after Corrigan made the catch to set it up. England clear to 40 metres out... and now Tuipulotu’s throw is not straight. Scrappy from both sides.
08:05 PM GMT
RED CARD KPOKU!
Hard to find any mitigation there. The referee asks for a real-time replay as well as a slow-motion one.
Seems to be some confusion with the TV director about which incident to look at, but we get to a conclusion - there is no change of height and no mitigation. It’s a 20-minute red card for Kpoku.
Wisniewski puts the penalty in the corner.
08:03 PM GMT
15 mins - Ireland 0-3 England
Ireland working through the phases after the restart but losing ground. Penalty now coming though for a tackle off the ball by Kpoku, as Wisniewski finds a gap! Good run, looked as though he was caught high when he was stopped near the 22.
Time off so that can be checked, it was Kinder’s tackle. The off-the-ball tackle from Kpoku looks worse, catching Ireland’s Smyth with a shoulder. This could be trouble...
08:00 PM GMT
PENALTY COEN! Ireland 0-3 England
Well hit by the Exeter No 10 as England take the lead. Sounds as though the rain is starting to come down.
07:59 PM GMT
12 mins - Ireland 0-0 England
Referee working hard to create the pre-engagement gap at the scrum. And now England collapse! Usanov getting on top of Sela to win the penalty. Ireland’s lineout near halfway.
England don’t contest and nearly force the maul into touch, before Ireland force an offload and lose it forward. Can England counter? Good run from Kinder, Coen with some nice footwork. Outside Ireland’s 22 and the hosts are offside too, the captain McCarthy pinged. England will take a shot.
07:56 PM GMT
10 mins - Ireland 0-0 England
Ireland sack the maul but England buidling well, Kpoku among the carries... until Logan forces a knock-on by England in midfield to give Ireland a scrum. Defence on top at the moment.
07:54 PM GMT
8 mins - Ireland 0-0 England
Messy lineout from England under pressure with Mullan coming away with the ball for Ireland.
Wisniewski’s high kick is won back by Molony. Ireland trying to pin England back but struggling into the wind, so Wisniewski finds touch near halfway.
07:53 PM GMT
6 mins - Ireland 0-0 England
Free-kick Ireland, McEachran pinged for being a bit eager. Couple of kicks from either side leads to an England lineout near halfway.
Played off the top but England knock on crashing up in midfield. Ireland kick clear so advantage over. Fahy with a good tackle on Kinder as England try to attack from halfway.
Sodeke with a good run and Ireland fail to roll away. Coen finds touch near Ireland’s 22.
07:50 PM GMT
4 mins - Ireland 0-0 England
First scrum - England had Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Afo Fasogbon as their props in this fixture last year - as England get the ball away. Carries from James and Kpoku before McParland clears.
England win it back in the air and we come back for an Irish knock-on by Molony. England’s scrum near halfway.
07:48 PM GMT
2 mins - Ireland 0-0 England
Pollock involved in a good double tackle as England’s defence rallies after that start, pushing Ireland out of the 22. The hosts find space out wide until a forward pass from Wisniewski stops a bright start. Very good defensive set from England.
07:47 PM GMT
Kickoff!
French referee Jeremy Rozier in charge. The wind has picked up for sure as Wisniewski gets us going and they win the ball back as well from the restart, Corrigan making a good run into England’s 22.
07:41 PM GMT
Out come the sides
Lots to learn about Ireland given the freshness to their side and a new head coach in Neil Doak. Decent crowd in Cork as we get set for the anthems.
07:30 PM GMT
Ireland’s skipper
07:24 PM GMT
The two teams
Ireland
15. Charlie Molony (UCD RFC/Leinster)
14. Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
13. Connor Fahy (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
12. Eoghan Smyth (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
11. Ciaran Mangan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
10. Sam Wisniewski (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
9. Clark Logan (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
1. Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
2. Henry Walker (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
3. Alex Mullan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
4. Mahon Ronan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
5. Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
6. Michael Foy (UCC RFC/Munster)
7. Bobby Power (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
8. Éanna McCarthy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)(captain)
Replacements
16. Connor Magee (Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
17. Billy Bohan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
18. Tom McAllister (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
19. David Walsh (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
20. Oisin Minogue (Shannon RFC/Munster)
21. Andrew Doyle (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
22. Gene O’Leary Kareem (UCC RFC/Munster)
23. Daniel Green (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster).
England
15 Jack Kinder (Leicester Tigers, Silhillians RUFC, uncapped)
14 Jack Bracken (Saracens, Barnet Elizabethans, 5 caps)
13 Angus Hall (Saracens, Sevenoaks Rugby Club, 6 caps)
12 Nic Allison (Exeter Chiefs, Bishops Diocesan College, uncapped)
11 Charlie Griffin (Bath, Rosslyn Park, uncapped)
10 Ben Coen (Exeter Chiefs, Teignmouth RFC, 5 caps)
9 Archie McParland (Northampton Saints, Ruthin RFC, 5 caps)
1 Ralph McEachran (Sale Sharks, Guildford RFC, uncapped)
2 Kepu Tuipulotu (Bath, Cwmbran RFC, uncapped)
3 Vilikesa Sela (Bath, Royal Wootton Bassett RFC, 9 caps)
4 Olamide Sodeke (Saracens, Blackheath Rugby Club, 11 caps)
5 Tom Burrow (c) (Sale Sharks, Morley RUFC, uncapped)
6 Junior Kpoku (Racing 92, Saracens Amateurs, 11 caps)
7 Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, Buckingham Rugby Club, 12 caps)
8 Kane James (Exeter Chiefs, St. Peter’s RFC, 9 caps)
Replacements
16 Louie Gulley (Exeter Chiefs, Crediton RFC, uncapped)
17 Oli Scola (Northampton Saints, Old Northamptonians RFC, uncapped)
18 Tye Raymont (Sale Sharks, West Park Leeds RFC, uncapped)
19 Aiden Ainsworth-Cave (Northampton Saints, Bedford Junior Blues, uncapped)
20 George Timmins (Bath, Market Harborough RUFC, 2 caps)
21 Lucas Friday (Harlequins, Bromley RFC, 6 caps)
22 Josh Bellamy (Harlequins, Rosslyn Park, 10 caps)
23 Nick Lilley (Exeter Chiefs, Ivybridge RFC, uncapped)
07:14 PM GMT
Interview with Henry Pollock
Charlie Morgan caught up with the rising star back in December. Here is the Northampton back-row on managing his competitiveness on the field.
I love the aggressive nature [of rugby] and thrive in it, I think. I’m at my best when I’m confrontational and on the edge. There’s a fine line there. I don’t want to be over the top and getting sent off. But you want to be in a state in your mind and body where you’re able to go out there and perform.
07:03 PM GMT
Get to know two of England’s pack
Charlie Morgan and I took a look at two of England’s pack earlier this month - the 6ft 9in lock Olamide Sodeke and Bath hooker Kepu Tuipulotu.
He’s a huge man, a lot of athletic ability, very good line-out forward. He has energy to burn.
06:46 PM GMT
Welcome
Evening everyone, welcome to our coverage of the first match of this year’s Under-20 Six Nations between Ireland and England taking place over in Cork. Only a point separated these two sides in the final table of last year’s competition as England narrowly clinched the title, with both sides winning four matches, while Luke Murphy’s late try when the two teams met at The Rec led to a 32-32 draw.
They have of course met since then, with England’s 31-20 win over Ireland at the U20 World Championship last summer sending them into the final ahead of winning the tournament.
Sale Sharks’ Tom Burrow takes over the captaincy having previously led England’s Under-19s, while there are also full debuts for Leicester Tigers’ Jack Kinder, Nic Allison (Exeter Chiefs), Ralph McEachran (Sale Sharks) and Charlie Griffin and Kepu Tuipulotu of Bath.
The side have also been boosted by the return of Henry Pollock, the excellent Northampton back-row who has been training with the senior squad in Girona and now starts at openside flanker in a promising pack alongside the likes of Tuipulotu, Billy Sela, Olamide Sodeke and Junior Kpoku.
Mark Mapletoft said: “As a team, we want to take a relentless approach from minute one and make our mark on the Six Nations once again this year.
“Coming into the tournament as previous winners is a privilege, but the highest level of expectation will come from the players themselves who want to play with freedom and uphold our principles of speed, attachment and space.
“The squad have been working diligently to match our demands of them and are ready for a tough opening challenge in Ireland. We’ve had some exciting matchups in recent times, and we know we’ll have another testing game against Neil’s [Doak] side this week.”
Ireland meanwhile will be led by Connacht’s Éanna McCarthy but their squad has seen significant turnover from last year’s tournament, with only seven remaining players in their squad of 31 who featured in 2024.
Conditions in Cork are forecast to be fairly mild so we should see plenty of attacking rugby. Kickoff coming your way at 7:45pm.
