Ireland U19 coach rings changes

Ireland coach Charlie McAleese has rung the changes once more to the Ireland U19 team that will play Scotland in the ninth place playoff in the U19 IRB U19 World Championship tomorrow in Ravenhill.

This will be the second meeting between the two teams, with Ireland squeezing out a 13-12 win in the last encounter.

In the backs Adam Craig returns to full back after missing out on the last two games. Eoin O’Malley moves from outhalf, where he played in the 31-10 victory over Japan in the team’s last outing, to his more familiar role at centre.

Scott Deasy takes the vacated No.10 position and Harry McAleese also returns at scrumhalf in place of Kris Greene.

In the pack, the entire front row has been changed, with Paul Karayiannis, Stephen Douglas and Patrick McCabe coming into the team in place of Ian Leonard, Michael Sherry and Matthew Nelson.

The backrow has also been remodelled with Jason Harris-Wright making his first start of the championships at blindside flanker. Kieran Essex comes back into the team at No.8, with Captain Paul Ryan moving to openside.

Ireland Coach Charlie McAleese said: "In our last meeting with Scotland we did well to come out of the game with a win and I expect it to be every bit as tough this time out.

"We have moved the team around over the last two games to give other members of the squad a chance, but this team has the opportunity to end the tournament on a high."

"I expect Scotland will also want to do the same and the manner in which they lost to us last time out I am sure will be a factor in how they approach this game."

The Ireland U19 team to play Scotland U19 in the IRB Under 19 World Championship at Ravenhill, Belfast on Saturday, 3pm is as follows:

Player School/Club

15 Adam Craig Instonians

14 Alan Gaughan Buccaneers

13 Jamie Smith Ballymena

12 Eoin O’Malley UCD

11 Paddy Brophy St. Michael’s College

10 Scott Deasy Presentation Brothers College, Cork.

9 Harry McAleese Ballynahinch

1 Paul Karayiannis RBAI/Queens

2 Stephen Douglas Ballymena

3 Patrick McCabe Dublin University FC

4 David Foley UL Bohemian

5 Ian Nagle Glenstal Abbey

6 Jason Harris-Wright Blackrock College

7 Paul Ryan (Captain) Blackrock College RFC

8 Kieran Essex Christian Brothers College, Cork / UCC

Replacements:

16 Stephen Douglas Ballymena

17 Ian Leonard St. Michael’s College

18 Matthew Nelson Ballynahinch

19 Brian Cawley UCD

20 Patrick Mallon St. Michael’s College

21 Kris Greene St. Mary’s College

22 Conor Cleary St. Michael’s College

23 Niall Morris Blackrock College RFC

24 Murray Kinsella Newtown School, Waterford

25 Tommy Seymour Down High School

26 Rajan Riley St. Michael’s College

Management:

Head coach Charlie McAleese

Manager Gerard Slattery

Assistant coach Bobby Byrne

Defence coach Kurt McQuilkin

Fitness coach Ray Egan

Doctor Tim O’Flanagan

Physio Shane Collins

Physio Josh Hoopes

Technical Analyst Derek Suffern