Win-or-bust clash for Irish U-19s against Baby Boks

RAVENHILL will be close to capacity tonight for Ireland’s win-or-bust final pool clash with South Africa in the IRB World U-19 Championship.

Attendances for Ireland’s first two pool games have surpassed expectation as the city of Belfast is wholeheartedly embracing the world’s premier underage tournament and the fortunes of Charlie McAleese’s side.

A bumper crowd of 6,715 turned up for their heartbreaking 15-10 loss to Australia and 6,368 were in attendance for Ireland’s last-gasp, 13-12 injury time win over Scotland, but Ulster headquarters should be bursting at the seams and get behind Paul Ryan’s side tonight against South Africa in their bid for a semi-final place.

Ireland lie in seventh position on five points, one place behind the Baby Boks (who also have the same total) and five behind Section A leaders New Zealand — but a win tonight for the Irish could possibly procure them a semi-final place.

Conversely a win might not be enough given the closeness between teams placed one to eight in Section A, and the drama will intensify and the table evolve dramatically throughout the evening because the leading eight teams are all involved in pool games against each other.

Favourites New Zealand look to be safe for a semi-final spot. The Baby Blacks lead Section A on ten points followed by Australia on nine, France and England lie on eight, Today’s fixtures amongst the table’s top eight sees a tasty New Zealand/ England tie act as curtain-raiser to Ireland’s match at Ravenhill; Argentina face Wales in Shaw’s Bridge while Australia take on France at Belfast Harlequins.

Ireland coach Charlie McAleese has made four changes to the side that defeated Scotland in dramatic circumstances on Monday. Ballymena’s Jamie Smith, who made a crucial 56th minute try-saving tackle to keep Ireland’s chances alive in the tournament, has been selected at full back. Murray Kinsella, a student at Newtown School, Waterford, makes his first start of the Championship at inside centre in place of the injured Conor Cleary.

Paddy McCabe holds his place at tighthead prop after coming on for Matthew Nelson and UL-Bohemians’ David Foley is selected in the second row ahead of Brian Cawley.

McAleese says it’s impossible to predict whether a win over South Africa can cement a semi-final spot given the congested nature of the table — but warns that an Ireland loss would see his side slide drastically down the table. Scotland are expected to overcome Fiji, which would leave McAleese’s side then fighting for a placing between ninth and twelfth.

“It’s pretty congested and unlike other tournaments there are quite a few, including ourselves, queuing up for semi-final spots,” he explained.

“A defeat tomorrow night doesn’t put us in good shape as I fully expect Scotland to beat Fiji, and a defeat for us would leave us in the bottom four.”

Three times winners of the tournament, South Africa, who beat Fiji 36-5 and lost 17-8 to France, are in a similar position to Ireland and need a win to stand a chance of making the top four. The Ireland coach expects an abrasive contest from the Baby Boks.

“They enjoy that attritional aspect up front and, with their physicality, it’s the way they play. However, they have one or two three-quarters who are dangerous as well. If they get on the front foot they move the ball very well. Their core game appears to be the attritional one however.

“We had a look at their first two games. They play a very straight style and they play it very well.

“They have plenty of power behind the pack and are very good in those narrow midfield channels. We’ve got to show the same fervour as we did against Australia in those areas. The key is to establish our own game on them.

IRELAND U 19: J Smith (Ballymena); N Morris (Blackrock College RFC), E O’Malley (UCD), M Kinsella (Newtown School, Waterford), P Brophy (St. Michael’s College); S Deasy (PBC, Cork), H McAleese (Ballynahinch); P Karayiannis (RBAI/Queens)S Douglas (Ballymena), P McCabe (Dublin University FC); D Foley (UL Bohemian) I Nagle (Glenstal Abbey); K Essex (CBC, Cork/UCC), R Reilly (St. Michael’s College, P Ryan (capt) (Blackrock College RFC)

SOUTH AFRICA U19: W Pietersen; V Willis, S Watermeyer, S Dippenaar, B Botha; F Brummer, F Hougaard; J J Rossouw, H Bantjes, F Kirsten; C Hess, M Muller; Y Hartzenberg, J van Deventer, G van Velze (capt).