Ireland U19s to open World championship

IRELAND's U19s will face England in the opening game of the IRB Rugby World Championship which take place in Dubai next month.

Ireland U19 manager, Keith Patton said: "We have come a long way since our game against Australia at Christmas and have a strong and quality squad going into the Championship.

"The players and coaches are really working very hard and are now keen to get out there and compete in Dubai and show what they can do."

Fixtures: April 5th - Ireland v England, 8pm.

April 9th: - Ireland v France, 6pm.

April 13th: Ireland v Samoa, 8pm.

BACKS: D. Drake (Instonians), I. Keatley (UCD), M. Barker (QUB), B. Collins (Castleknock College), N. O'Connor (Limavady GS), P. O'Donohoe (Belvedere College), I. Dineen (CBC, Cork), I. Whittten (QUB), S. Carey (St. Joseph's College, Garbally), K. Earls (St. Munchin's College), S. Monahan (TCD), A. Wynne (Blackrock College)

FORWARDS: T. Anderson (Queens), D. Gilchrist (UCD), J. Graham (Ballynahinch), T. O'Donnell (UL Bohs), D. Pollock (Queens), R. Sweeney (UCD), A. Browne (Galwegians), T. Walsh (Castleknock College), C. McInerney (UCD), R. Murphy (Castleknock College), K. Sheahan (UCD), G. Slattery (St. Munchin's College), C. Healy (Belvedere College), J. Gethings (Gonzaga College).