McAleese braced for big challenge

THE IRB Under-19 World Championship has a high profile around sunny Belfast.

The visibility of the tournament on street flag poles, shop windows, tourist brochures and in hotel lobbies are signs that the city has fully embraced the world’s premier under-age tournament. The competition has seen 24 countries descend on the city and Bangor for the next 17 days.

The Championship kicked off yesterday with the minnows of Division B playing their opening pool games in Malone RFC, Bangor and Queen’s.