Wootton And Usanov To Start For Ireland U-20 Men Against Italy

Opta Facts: World Rugby U-20 Championship – Ireland v Italy 

Following their bonus point-winning start against Georgia, Neil Doak’s Ireland youngsters face a crucial Pool C encounter with tournament hosts Italy, whom they lost to during the recent U-20 Six Nations Championship (15-12 in Treviso).

IQ Rugby recruit Wootton gets the nod at scrum half, making his second start alongside Tom Wood after the pair combined against France in March. Usanov, who signed his first professional contract with Leinster earlier this year, will pack at loosehead prop.

Charlie Molony, Paidi Farrell, and Derry Moloney continue together in the back-three, with Molony and Farrell on the hunt for more tries after scoring three between them against Georgia. Tullamore native Farrell marked his Ireland U-20 debut with a brace.

Centres Ciarán Mangan and Eoghan Smyth (pictured below) are retained, and following his return to international action at number 8, Luke Murphy will pack down again at the base of the scrum, with captain Éanna McCarthy at openside flanker, and Michael Foy on the blindside.

Usanov slots in alongside Henry Walker and Alex Mullan in the front row, and locks Mahon Ronan and Billy Corrigan will be aiming for more of the same, having contributed a try, 15 carries, 10 tackles, and six lineout takes between them against the Junior Lelos.

Mikey Yarr, Billy Bohan, Tom McAllister, Conor Kennelly, and Bobby Power are the forwards available to Doak and his coaching team on the bench, with backs Clark Logan, Sam Wisniewski, and Daniel Green completing the matchday 23.

Eager to avenge their U-20 Six Nations defeat to Italy, McCarthy said: “Our launch, our green zone entries in the Six Nations didn’t really go our way, but we converted a good bit more against Georgia, so we were happy with that.

“I think we stepped up and made a good performance out of it, and finished well in key moments. Definitely as a forward pack, we can work on our lineout defence (for Italy).

“As a team, it’s just about building on the first game. Italy are going to bring a big challenge, maybe a few faster backs, more rugby (than Georgia). It will be massive battle.

“The Georgians did bring a massive physical battle to us. It’s just about up-front tackles, we kind of leaked a few yards before a few of their tries, so I just think it’s those up-front tackles and backing pressure after that.

“Coming up against Italy, we’ll have to look at the defensive side of it a bit more, and defend the team that’s playing in front of us rather than the big ball carriers.”

IRELAND UNDER-20 MEN’S TEAM & REPLACEMENTS (v Italy Under-20s, 2025 World Rugby U-20 Championship Pool C, Stadio Luigi Zaffanella, Viadana, Friday, July 4, kick-off 8.30pm local time/7.30pm Irish time):

15. Charlie Molony (UCD RFC/Leinster)
14. Paidi Farrell (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
13. Ciarán Mangan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
12. Eoghan Smyth (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
11. Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
10. Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/Munster)
9. Will Wootton (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)
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. Éanna McCarthy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht) (capt)
8. Luke Murphy (Young Munster RFC/Munster)

Replacements:

16. Mikey Yarr (UCD RFC/Leinster)
17. Billy Bohan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
18. Tom McAllister (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
19. Conor Kennelly (Highfield RFC/Munster)
20. Bobby Power (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
21. Clark Logan (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
22. Sam Wisniewski (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
23. Daniel Green (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)