Ireland have named eight uncapped players in a 28-strong squad for this summer’s IRB Junior World Championship in New Zealand.

Coach Mike Ruddock has included eight uncapped players with Diarmaid Dee, Dylan Donnellan, John Madigan, Darragh Moloney and Craig Trenier named in the forwards, while William Dardis, Ryan Foley, Ciaran Gaffney join the backs.

Four players remain from last year’s tournament in Brittany, where Ireland finished in eighth position. Peter Dooley, Jack O’Donoghue, Peadar Timmins and Alex Wootton will get a second chance to play in the tournament. Connacht backrow Seán O’Brien will captain the side.

Ireland share pool B with France, Fiji and Wales and open their tournament against France on Monday, June 2nd in QBE Stadium, Auckland.

IRELAND UNDER-20 SQUAD (for IRB Junior Rugby World Championship, New Zealand. *Denotes uncapped player at international under-20 level): Max Abbott (Cork Constitution - Munster), Rory Burke (Cork Constitution - Munster), David Busby (Queen's - Ulster), Ross Byrne (UCD - Leinster), Denis Coulson (Lansdowne/Carlow IT - Leinster), William Dardis (UCD - Leinster)*, Diarmaid Dee (Young Munster - Munster)*, Dylan Donnellan (UCD - Leinster)*, Peter Dooley (Lansdowne - Leinster), Ryan Foley (Cork Constitution - Munster)*, Ciaran Gaffney (Galwegians - Connacht)*, Stephen Gardiner (Lansdowne - Leinster), Dan Goggin (Young Munster - Munster), Cian Kelleher (Lansdowne - Leinster), John Madigan (Dolphin - Munster)*, Nick McCarthy (UCD - Leinster), Mickey McKeon (Lansdowne - Leinster), Darragh Moloney (Cork Constitution - Munster)*, Rory Moloney (Buccaneers - Connacht), Ross Molony (UCD - Leinster), Seán O'Brien (Galwegians - Connacht, capt), Jack O'Donoghue (UL Bohemian - Munster), Garry Ringrose (UCD - Leinster), Peter Robb (Old Belvedere - Leinster), Frank Taggart (Belfast Harlequins - Ulster), Peadar Timmins (UCD - Leinster), Craig Trenier (Terenure - Leinster)*, Alex Wootton (Garryowen - Munster).

IRELAND'S POOL B FIXTURES
June 2nd: v France, QBE Stadium, Auckland, 5.35pm (6.35am Irish time)
June 6th: v Wales, ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe, 5.35pm (6.35am Irish time)
June 10th: v Fiji, QBE Stadium, Auckland, 1.35pm (2.35am Irish time)