Dec 12,2024
The IRFU has appointed Neil Doak as the new head coach of the Ireland U20s team.
The former Ulster scrum-half has coached the Ireland U18s and Combined Academies in recent seasons, and was part of the Ireland U20s coaching team for last summer's World Championship in South Africa as a senior coach.
He takes over the role from Willie Faloon, who was in charge for last summer’s campaign.
Doak will be assisted during the 2025 Six Nations by Ian Keatley, who continues in his role from last year, and former Connacht second row Andrew Browne and Seamus Toomey.
Doak said: "It is a huge honour and a challenge I am massively excited about. We have had a number of camps in the High-Performance Centre and the application, hard work and commitment of the players has been really impressive.
"We have a lot of work to get through in preparation for the U20 Six Nations, but the group are focused on building positively day-by-day and the upcoming matches against Italy and the Leinster Development XV over the Christmas and New Year period present us with an invaluable opportunity to build that cohesion and momentum."
Ireland, last winners in 2023, begin their Six Nations campaign against England in Cork, before a trip to Edinburgh in round two to face Scotland on Saturday, 8 February.
They travel to Rodney Parade on Friday, 21 February before welcoming France to Virgin Media Park Friday, 7 March.
The championship concludes with an away clash against Italy in Treviso on Friday, 14 March.
