Wales tie a tough test for U19’s

THE Ireland U19 team begin their preparations for the IRB U19 World Championship with a game against Wales in Stradey Park tomorrow night (7.15pm).

The U19 World Championship kicks off in Belfast with Ireland playing Australia in the opening game of the tournament at Ravenhill on April 5th.

Ireland U19 Coach Charlie McAleese said: “This year is a big one for Irish U19 rugby with the World Cup taking place in Belfast. All of the squad are keen to impress and stake their claim for a place in the squad for the tournament and this game against Wales gives them that opportunity”.

“While we take great encouragement by the performances of the U20 side in the last two games of their 6 Nations Championship, Wales will again be tough opponents.”

The side will be captained by Paul Ryan of Blackrock College RFC.

IRELAND U19 (v Wales U19):A Craig (Instonians/Ulster/Ulster), C Cochrane (Coleraine Academical Institute/Ulster), J Smith (Ballymena/Ulster M Kinsella (Newtown School/Munster), N Morris (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), E O’Malley (UCD /Leinster), D Moore (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster P Karayiannis (RBAI/Ulster S Douglas (Ballymena/Ulster), M Nelson (Ballynahinch/Ulster), B Cawley UCD/Leinster), I Nagle Glenstal Abbey/Munster), K Essex (CBC Cork/Munster), M Entwistle (Ballymena /Ulster), P Ryan (Captain) Blackrock College RFC/Leinster).

Replacements: P McCabe (Dublin University/Leinster), S Archer (UCC /Munster), M Sherry (Ard Scoil Rís/Munster), D Foley (U.L. Bohemians /Munster), J Downey (Presentation College Bray/Leinster), D Johnston (Belfast Harlequins /Ulster), K Greene (St. Mary’s College RFC/Leinster), M Geraghty (Greystones RFC/Leinster), T Seymour (Down High School/Ulster), W Stewart (QUB/Ulster), M O’Regan (Northampton).