Former Ulster scrum-half Neil Doak has been named the new head coach of the Ireland Under-20s.
The 52-year-old succeeds another former Ulster player in Willie Faloon, who had led the group to the semi-finals of the World Rugby Under-20 Championship during the summer.
Doak, a former Ireland cricket international, worked with Faloon as a senior coach at that tournament in South Africa having joined the ticket after previous head coach Richie Murphy departed to take the top job at Ulster in March.
He previously served as both attack coach and interim head coach with Ulster, and has also worked with Worcester Warriors, Georgia and Emerging Ireland.
Doak’s first game in charge will be a friendly against Italy on 20 December in Dublin as part of the side’s preparations for the 2025 Six Nations.
Ireland’s championship begins against England in Cork on 30 January before a trip to Scotland on 8 February.
They will also face visits to Wales and Italy, with the hosting of France in between.