SHANNON’S David Quinlan will captain Ireland in their AIB Club International against England Counties on Friday night (Donnybrook, RTÉ Two, 7.05pm).

ALL-IRELAND LEAGUE champions Shannon have been kept apart from arch-rivals Garryowen in the semi-finals of the AIB Cup, the draw for which was made yesterday.

A 28-man squad for the first AIB Club International of the season between Ireland and England Counties in Donnybrook on Friday, 23rd February has been named today.

The Ireland Under 19 team to meet Japan in Durban on Wednesday for the right to take part in the 9th-10th place play-off next Sunday has been named.

IRELAND return to the exact field where Ulster flanker John McCall died a little over a year ago and are depending on other results working in their favour to progress at the U19 World Championships in Durban today.

South Africa U-19 32 Ireland U-19 8

Ireland Under-19s face the daunting task of meeting host nation South Africa in the IRB World Cup in Pietermaritzburg this afternoon.

The Ireland Under 19 team to play Georgia Under 19 in Kings Park, Durban on Friday has been named.

Connacht Rugby have officially luanched their new academy with the contracting of six players to the elite player development programme where it is hoped over the next three years they will develop into full time professionals with Connacht Rugby.

Ireland have named a 40-man Under-21 squad for back-to-back games against France this weekend.