Ireland U20 Six Nations squad announced

The Irish Under 20 team will play in Dublin for the first time since 2005 as an extended squad of 30 players was named ahead of the Six Nations campaign.

The home game against England Under 20s is scheduled for Donnybrook on Friday 28th February.

Ireland also play against France at home in Dubarry Park, Athlone on Friday, 13th February. The first match of the championship is against Italy in Stadio Pozzi Lamarmora

Eight players in the squad have previous Six Nations experience. Harrison Brewer, Ross Byrne, Jack Cullen, Oisin Heffernan, captain Nick McCarthy, Sean McNulty, Rory Moloney and Garry Ringrose all played in last year's tournament.

A further three players, Billy Dardis, Ciaran Gaffney and Josh Murphy played in the 2014 Junior World Cup.

"The squad sees a great mixture of new faces and those with experience at this level from last season. We have been really impressed by the attitude of the players, both on and off the field," said coach Nigel Carolan.

“The warm up games against the provincial development sides over Christmas have provided the opportunity to develop our game and confirm the potential within our player group.”

Ireland U-20 Squad: Samuel Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster) ; Harrison Brewer (Terenure/ Leinster)*; Ross Byrne (UCD RFC/ Leinster)*; Joey Carbery (UCD/ Leinster); Fergal Cleary (Lansdowne / Leinster); Jack Cullen (Shannon /Munster)*; Billy Dardis (UCD/Leinster) *; Lorcan Dow (Queens/Ulster); Jack Dwan (Leinster); Stephen Fitzgerald (Shannon/ Munster); Ciaran Gaffney (Galwegians/Connacht) *; Oisin Heffernan (Terenure/Leinster)*; Michael Lagan (Ballymena/Ulster); Jeremy Lougman (UCD/Leinster); Zac McCall (Queens University/Ulster); Nicolas McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)*; Sean McNulty (UCD/Munster)*; Stephen McVeigh (Buccaneers/Connacht); Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/Connacht)*; Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster) *; David O'Connor (St. Mary's/Leinster); Conan O'Donnell (Sligo/Connacht); Conor Oliver (St. Mary's/Leinster); Greg O'Shea (Shannon/Munster); Jack Owens (Queens University/Ulster); Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)*; Cian Romaine (Buccaneers/Connacht); Jacob Stockdale (Queens University/Ulster); Alexander Thompson (Queens University/Ulster); Nick Timoney (St. Mary's/Leinster); *Denotes previously capped at this level

RBS 6 Nations Ireland Under-20 Fixtures:

Fri 6 Feb 19:00 Italy U20 v Ireland U20 Stadio Pozzi Lamarmora

Fri 13 Feb 19:05 Ireland U20 v France U20 Dubarry Park

Fri 27 Feb 19:05 Ireland U20 v England U20 Donnybrook

Fri 13 Mar 19:45 Wales U20 v Ireland U20 Parc Eirias

Fri 20 Mar 19:30 Scotland U20 v Ireland U20 Netherdale