Former Ulster scrum-half Neil Doak has been appointed as the new head coach of the Ireland Under-20s squad. The 52-year-old succeeds Willie Faloon, also a former Ulster player, who guided the team to the semi-finals of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship this past summer. Doak, a former Ireland cricket international, served as a senior coach alongside Faloon at the tournament in South Africa. He joined the coaching staff after the previous head coach, Richie Murphy, departed in March to assume the head coaching role at Ulster. Doak’s prior experience includes stints as both attack coach and interim head coach with Ulster, in addition to working with Worcester Warriors, Georgia, and Emerging Ireland. Doak’s initial match at the helm will be a friendly fixture against Italy on 20 December in Dublin, forming part of the team’s preparations for the 2025 Six Nations. Ireland’s championship campaign is set to commence on 30 January against England in Cork, followed by an away game in Scotland on 8 February. The squad will also undertake away trips to Wales and Italy, with a home match against France scheduled between these fixtures. Post navigation Celtic Solidifies Top Position with Victory Over Aberdeen, Widening League Lead Maresca Emphasizes Madueke “Must Work More”