Irish schools team to face Wales named

Diarmuid Laffan will captain Ireland from blind side wing forward in the schools rugby international against Wales at Donnybrook on Saturday next (kick-off 6pm).

Scrum half Duncan Williams from CBC Cork is the only survivor from last season, although Paul Collins, from Templeogue College, who was a replacement last season, is now selected at prop forward.

The Ireland team will play away internationals against England and France on April 9 and 17.

The Irish Schools team selected to play Wales on Saturday, April 3, at Donnybrook is as follows:

15 - Robert Kearney (Clongowes Wood College)

14 - Rory Drysdale (Belfast Royal Academy)

13 - Tom Gleeson (PBC Cork)

12 - Darren Best (Sullivan Upper School)

11 - Peter Shallow (Rockwell College)

10 - Conan Doyle (Ard Scoil Ris)

9 - Duncan Williams (CBC Cork)

1 - Gary Walsh (Blackrock College)

2 - Sean Cronin (Ard Scoil Ris)

3 - Paul Collins (Templeogue College)

4 - Jamie Cornett (Royal School Armagh)

5 - Devin Toner (Castleknock College)

6 - Diarmuid Laffan (Blackrock College) Capt

7 - Barry O’Mahony (Crescent College)

8 - David Pollock (Royal School Dungannon)

Replacements: 16 - Gavin O’Meara (St. Mary’s College), 17 - Tony O’Kane (St Gerard’s School), 18 - Brian McGovern (St Mary’s College), 19 - Darren O’ Reilly (Blackrock College), 20 - Joe Burns (Coleraine Academical Institution), 21 - Jonathan Watt (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), 22 - Evan Ryan (PBC Cork).