Ireland unveil new faces for U21 campaign

IRELAND embark on a new Six Nations U21 Championship campaign in Dundee on Saturday, bolstered by a new structure but with a couple of familiar faces.

Ireland were desperately unlucky last season when they lost three games out of the five by a total of just eight points, five to England, two to Wales and one to France.

This year the team will be coached by former Irish captain Michael Bradley and he would appear to have something to play with.

Apart from the availability of Stephen Keogh and Rory Best who were both involved last season, there are a number of decent players coming through, amongst them out half David McAllister, captain John Lyne (prop) and Jason Moran (prop).

Interestingly, Moran is the son of former Waterpark outhalf guru Brendan who amassed a huge total of points in Irish club and provincial rugby over a number of years before retiring at 42.

An interesting selection is the midfield partnership of UL Bohemian players Barry Murphy and Keith Matthews. Matthews has been a regular in the senior UL Bohemian team but on the wing.

Meanwhile, the promising David Gannon (UCD) and Shane O’Connor (Cork Constitution) have been selected in the second row.

Ireland started with a squad of 45 players and have already played four matches, two in France against French Selections and against the Irish Colleges and a Belvedere College selection. They won three of those games with the only loss in France.

According to Bradley, the four match programme was not result orientated but geared towards performances.

“We were happy with the results and the performances,” he said.

Ireland U21 team to play at Mayfield, Dundee (2pm): T.Bowe (Queens University), R. Lane (UCC), B. Murphy (UL Bohemian), K. Matthews (UL Bohemian), D. Warwick (Newport), D. McAlister (Terenure), C. O’Loughlin (Buccaneers), J. Lyne (Lansdowne, captain), R. Best (Belfast Harlequins), J. Moran (UCD), D. Gannon (UCD), S. O’Connor (Cork Constitution), J. Muldoon (Galwegians), S. Keogh (UCC), N. Ronan (Lansdowne).

Replacements: K. Corrigan (UCD), E. McGovern (Old Crescent), N. McComb (Dundee High School), F. O’Loughlin (Shannon), M. Rainey (Glasgow Hawks), P. O’Brien (UCC).