The journey of former Kilkenny College duo Stephen Smyth and Sean Naughton at the World Rugby U20 Championship has reached its penultimate stage.
Following a hard-fought semi-final against England, where both players made their appearances as replacements, Ireland’s hopes for the championship title were dashed. However, the young athletes now turn their focus to the third-place playoff against New Zealand.
The semi-final match against England was a closely contested battle, but ultimately, Ireland fell short. The defeat means that the Irish squad, under the guidance of Head Coach Willie Faloon, will now vie for the bronze medal in Cape Town.
In a positive turn, Carlow native Stephen Smyth has been named in the starting lineup for the upcoming match. Smyth has shown his prowess on the field throughout the tournament, notably scoring a try in Ireland’s second match against Georgia.
Fans can catch the action live from Cape Town, with kick-off scheduled for 3:30 pm Irish time on Friday.
Match Details:
- Event: World Rugby U20 Championship Third Place Playoff
- Teams: Ireland vs. New Zealand
- Date: Friday
- Kick-off Time: 3:30 pm Irish Time
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
