Irish club stars set for English tie

THE AIB-sponsored Irish clubs international team take on England Counties for the second time at Donnybrook this evening (5pm) seeking to emulate the team of two years ago.

The Irish team, coached by Brian Walsh, beat England 20-17 in a thriller then in the first-ever club international and followed that up with a 20-15 win over Scotland last season.

Walsh has retained a number of players who gained experience over those couple of games. But with the help of a number of coaching assistants, Walsh has spread his net countrywide and even into the lower divisions in a bid to reward players who have shown top form this season.

With five Leinster players in the side, including St Mary’s College’s Hugh Hogan as captain, club members will be out in force to support their fellow players at Donnybrook.

There is one late change to squad as Killian Lett of UCD has withdrawn from the replacements due to injury. His place will be taken by Niall O’Brien of Clontarf.

IRELAND: E. Torrie (UL Bohemian), C. Healy (Cork Constitution), D. Fitzpatrick (Blackrock College), P. Brophy (St. Mary’s), D. Corcoran (Young Munster), B. Keeshan (Dolphin), R. Cushion (Old Belvedere), M. Gateley (Highfield), B. McNamee (Dungannon), K. Moran (Buccaneers), A. Maher (Lansdowne), M. Warburton (Old Wesley), K. Croke (UCD), H. Hogan (St. Mary’s College), captain; B. O’Mahony (Dolphin).

Replacements: R Quinn (Lansdowne), C Murphy (Lansdowne), A Dunlop (Terenure College), R Boucher (Lansdowne), S Cronin (UCC), N O’Brien (Clontarf), T Bennett (Shannon).