World Rugby U20 Championship | Munster Representatives

25th May 2018 By The Editor

Garryowen's Diarmuid Barron is one of seven Munster players going to France INPHO/Dan Sheridan

The World Rugby U20 Championship kicks-off next week with seven of Munster’s top young talent selected to represent Ireland U20s, we profile them ahead of the squad travelling to France this weekend.

Forwards

Diarmuid Barron – Hooker

Winning the Munster Schools Senior Cup with Rockwell in 2015, the following year Barron captained the Tipperary school.

The hooker is currently playing with Garryowen and featured in this season’s Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup winning squad.

Barron has previously represented both province and country at U18 and U19 level, as well as being involved in last year’s U20 campaign.

James French – Prop

A former centre, French made the switch to the front-row during his time playing for Bandon Grammar School after an impressive spell in the back-row.

The West Cork native enjoyed success with UCC this season, contributing to the club’s promotion to Division 1A of the All Ireland League.

French has represented Ireland at U19 level and has already been capped in this year’s U20 Six Nations.

Jack Daly – Back-row

Garryowen’s Daly featured regularly in Division 1A of the All Ireland League this season with the Dooradoyle side reaching the semi-finals of the competition.

The powerful back-row claimed the Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup with Garryowen after overcoming UL Bohemian 18-3.

From Castleisland, Daly gained previous international experience with Ireland U18 Clubs and Schools.

Bryan O’Connor – Prop

A former PBC loosehead prop, O’Connor won last year’s Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup after the Cork school overcame Glenstal Abbey 11-3 in the final.

The Crosshaven native most recently enjoyed promotion to Division 1A of the All Ireland League with UCC.

O’Connor has played British and Irish Cup rugby with Munster A this season and is in position for his first Ireland U20 cap.

Backs

Dan Hurley – Centre/Wing

Having been a member of the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy for the 2017/18 season, Dan Hurley has previously represented both Munster and Ireland at underage level.

The Young Munster man has featured in Division 1A of the All Ireland League this season.

The former Crescent College Comprehensive student was also a standout performer in the Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup in recent years.

James McCarthy – Full-back/Wing

UL Bohemian and Greencore Munster Rugby Academy man James McCarthy followed the Exiles pathway and has already impressed for the Ireland U20s in this year’s Six Nations campaign.

Man of the Match in the win over Italy, McCarthy has been playing All Ireland League rugby with UL Bohs this season and previously represented both Dragons and Wales at U18 level.

McCarthy made the move to Munster to join the academy last summer.

Peter Sylvester – Centre/Out-half

Versatile UCC player and former PBC student Sylvester has previously represented both Munster and Ireland at underage level and made his first Ireland U20s appearance in this week’s 43-19 win over Japan.

Sylvester was a prominent performer for UCC this season as they clinched promotion to Division 1A of the All Ireland League.

A goal-kicker as well as a playmaker, Sylvester started last year’s Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Senior Cup final at out-half as PBC defeated Glenstal Abbey 11-3.