Three players to watch in the Ireland U20s squad
A native of Ballygarvan in Cork and a newcomer to this grade, McCarthy has been selected as captain by new Ireland head coach Neil Doak for this year’s Six Nations.
This will make the Championship opener against defending champions England on January 30 in the Leeside venue of Virgin Media Park particularly special for the former CBC Cork student and he is expected to have a substantial impact from the Irish back-row throughout the course of the tournament.
Having captained the Munster U19s in 2024, last summer saw McCarthy joining the Connacht Academy and he currently represents Galwegians in Division 2B of the All-Ireland League.
By making the cut for this year’s Championship, Mangan is following in the footsteps of his older brother Diarmuid – a Grand Slam winner with the Ireland U20s in 2022 and 2023.
From Sallins in Kildare, the younger Mangan won a Leinster schools junior cup with Newbridge College in 2021 before being coached on their senior team by former Munster back Johne Murphy.
Capable of playing at outside centre or on the wing – where he featured for the Ireland U19s last year – he should be well suited to the attacking style that Neil Doak wants to deploy at this age grade in 2025.
One of six players in the current squad who is returning to the Ireland U20s set-up for a second consecutive year, loosehead prop Usanov has made great strides since he last donned the green jersey at this level.
A member of the Leinster Academy, Usanov was called up to the Emerging Ireland squad that toured South Africa last October, featuring in all three games that Simon Easterby’s side won in the southern hemisphere.
Given title holders England are noted for having a physical pack, the Ireland coaching staff will be looking for the Clontarf club man to deliver a big performance in their Championship opener in Cork.