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IRFU confirm Ireland U20s replacement for Richie Murphy
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has confirmed a new look coaching team for the Ireland U20s at the upcoming World Rugby U20 Championship in South Africa.
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Willie Faloon is set to lead the team as the head coach following Richie Murphy’s appointment as the head coach for Ulster Rugby. Murphy took over from Dan McFarland on an interim basis but, as first reported by RugbyPass, Ulster have decided to keep Murphy on a permanent basis. Faloon – previously the Ireland U20s defence coach – has experience from the last two U20 Six Nations and the previous World Rugby U20 Championship.
Former Munster and Ireland flyahalf Ian Keatley will continue as the attack and backs coach, with Aaron Dundon retaining his role as forwards coach.
Former Ireland international and Ulster halfback Neil Doak joins the team as a senior Coach, adding significant experience to the setup after coaching stints for Ireland U18s and Combined Academies.
Peter Smyth, IRFU Head of Elite Player Development, said: “We would like to firstly congratulate Richie on his new role with Ulster. He has done an exceptional job with the Ireland U20s in recent seasons and on behalf of all the management and players, we wish him well for the remainder of the season with Ulster and beyond.
“It was important for us to maintain consistency within our group so we are pleased to confirm the appointment of Willie as Ireland U20s Head Coach for this summer, with Aaron and Ian continuing in their roles and Neil joining the team as a Senior Coach.
“A World Rugby U20 Championship is always an exciting challenge and coming off the back of the Six Nations, the group are motivated to work hard in the weeks ahead to put themselves in the best position to perform against the world’s best in South Africa.”
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Enda McDonagh, Managing Partner, PwC Ireland, added: “On behalf of PwC, I would like to acknowledge Richie’s immense contribution to the success of the Ireland U20s in recent years, and thank him for the work he and the wider coaching team have done in laying the foundations for the tournaments ahead, starting with South Africa this summer.
“I would like to congratulate Willie on his appointment as Ireland U20s Head Coach for the World Rugby U20 Championship and wish him every success in the weeks and months ahead as he and the staff prepare our squad for another exciting summer of U20s rugby. Everyone at PwC is looking forward to supporting the team again on the world stage.”
The World Rugby U20s Championship will take place from June 29 to July 19 in Stellenbosch and Cape Town, Western Cape. The specific Pool schedule will be announced by World Rugby at the end of the month. In preparation for the championship, the Ireland U20s will engage in three Challenge Matches against Irish Universities on May 24, Ulster ‘A’ on June 1, and Munster ‘A’ on June 7. These matches are part of their preparations before departing for South Africa.
The Ireland U20s team for the tour will be named in June.
Comments on RugbyPass
Surprised Ireland haven’t already nabbed Rayasi. So much competition in the back three in all NZ Super teams that you need a coach who believes in you and will select you regularly.
1 Go to commentsBath Fan acting all innocent, like Hill would just walk up and casually do that without a reason too 😂
1 Go to commentsDrua have been a fantastic addition to Super. Aus now down to 4 teams. Bring the Jaguares back in, they were Finalists in their last season. Super crowds are rising with afternoon KO’s, not having to cowtow to viewer schedules in UK/SA. win-win.
1 Go to commentsHamilton is an idiot. This cringeworthy desperation of journalists to enter the ‘GOAT’ debate. Have they lost the ability to think of something new and interesting to write about ? Its a pointless argument. Even using the eg of McCaw and Carter. One is a back, the other a forward. 2 totally different skill sets. Impossible to compare. Does a player need to win gold to be considered a ‘GOAT’ or is his skill evaluated independently of trophies ? And why compare Dupont, still at the start/mid of his career with 2 players with 150 caps each (approx) ? are Gareth Edwards and Pinetree Meads and Danie Gerber and David Campese not considered because they were amateurs ? Maybe let Dupont have his career first. And then compare him with others in his position, only.
27 Go to commentsJapan deserves better than this.
3 Go to commentsLove watching this kid play. He’ll be wearing black at some stage.
3 Go to commentsNoah Hotham has put in some stellar performances at halfback for the Crusaders. Especially home win against the Chiefs, loss to the Highlanders and the last two home wins against the Blues and Moana Pasifika. Confidence and skill set. Well summed up by coach Rob Penney. Noah is a All Black in waiting.
3 Go to commentsIf you want to bugger up a game give it to O’Keefe. Inconsistent advantage rulings for knock ons, an unfortunate propensity to use cards instead of player management. Ross may well have been offside but he had no influence on that phase of play. Its a pity O’Keefe is not Australian and then he would not be reffing the Wallabies - at least we are saved from Berry!
1 Go to commentsRachel Burford had the best pass in women’s rugby and was a class act. Jill Scott would have had many more England caps if the competition for places had not been so keen. Many other nations would have welcomed her.
2 Go to commentsAn SA team tops the log again
3 Go to commentsMarius Louw used to be the guy who couldn’t catch a ball. But this season he seems to be the guy suffering from ‘roid rage. There was no need at all to shove Davids and if he hadn’t, his team would’ve had 15 players on the field for the entire match. How does it feel to be the probable cause for your team not qualifying for next season’s Champions Cup? Hmm Marius, how does it feel?
2 Go to commentsHow to watch it??
3 Go to commentsHaven’t heard of any of em
4 Go to commentsIt was high. But unfortunate. Difficult to tackle a guy who’s knee-high.
2 Go to commentsGo Ulster!
3 Go to commentsPhepsi Buthelezi must surely get a crack at Wales. Masuku too.
1 Go to commentsI don't want to say there's a curse but Aussie Props are dropping like Spinal Tap Drummers this year
1 Go to commentsCorrection; Wacokecoke signed for Doncaster the other day
4 Go to commentsThis kid will be an All Black sooner rather than later. His ability to extract the most from any situation is unbelievable. Come next season he could be no. 2 behind Roigard. Another damn Crusader lol, out of Hamilton.
3 Go to commentsMngomezulu looking good at 15. I maintain, Evan Roos is much more effective at 6 than an 8. JC Pretorius is a damn good 6 too.
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