Youth gets its Japanese fling

Charlie Mulqueen

With 11 internationals in New Zealand with the Lions, along with Eddie O’Sullivan, there are nine uncapped players in the travelling party, with Niall O’Donovan as coach and Humphreys as captain. Joey Miles from Ulster is tour manager while Michael Bradley of Connacht and Mark McCall travel as assistant coaches. Surprisingly, there is no place in the squad for number eight Anthony Foley but management insist that does not signal the end of the Shannon man’s international career.

Explained O’Donovan last night: “With such a high representation with the Lions, the squad for Japan gives us a chance to look at players in certain areas. These include the back-row and second-row, where there is a glut of talent coming through, allowing us to look at options as cover for players such as Anthony Foley and also at scrum-half.”