Offaly man named on Irish U20 rugby squad for Six Nations

AN Offaly man has been named on the Irish U20 rugby squad for their forthcoming Six Nations campaign. Back, Paidi Farrell was among the squad named by head coach Neil Doak on Tuesday morning.

A very talented emerging player, Farrell has developed through the juvenile section in Tullamore Rugby Club and now plays with Old Wesley and Leinster. From Mountlucas, between Edenderry and Daingean he has represented Ireland and Leinster in various underage grades and has scored regular tries. He has also played minor football for Edenderry, winning a championship medal there in 2021.

Ireland start their campaign against England on Thursday, January 30 in Cork before travelling to Edinburgh to play Scotland on Saturday, February 8.

They then travel to Rodney Parade on Friday, 21 February (Kick-off 7.45pm) before welcoming France to Virgin Media Park for a Round 4 showdown on Friday, 7 March (Kick-off 8pm). The Championship concludes with an away clash against Italy in Treviso on Friday, 14 March (Kick-off 7.45pm).

The Ireland U20s squad have been building towards the Six Nations through a series of camps at the IRFU High Performance Centre, while challenge matches against Italy and Leinster Development over the Christmas period have aided preparations.