Ireland U20 and Womens’ teams announced

The Ireland U20 team shows several changes from last week’s game against France for the sides next outing against Italy in Piacenza on Saturday in the Beltrametti Stadium.

Thu, 12 Feb, 2009 - 15:45

The Ireland U20 team shows several changes from last week’s game against France for the sides next outing against Italy in Piacenza on Saturday in the Beltrametti Stadium.

Ian Madigan moves from fullback to the No.10 position, with David Kearney moving from the wing to slot into fullback. Mark Doyle comes into the team and is named on the right wing instead of Kearney. There has also been a reshuffle in the front row, with Jack McGrath swapping sides from loose head to tight head.

Paddy McAllister comes off the replacements bench to start at loose head and Jack O’Connell moves into the replacements. Ronan O’Mahony comes into the replacements as a result of Mark Doyle’s promotion to the starting side and is joined by scrum half Matthew Healy who joins the squad in place of John Cooney.

Ireland coach Allen Clark said: “The game against France showed the character of the squad, the work rate and defensive effort were significant and the determination to force the vital score was very pleasing”.

“Saturday's game against Italy poses a further challenge. Italy asked significant questions of England in defeat and will no doubt be looking forward to kick start their campaign at home. Our focus is to build on the positives from last week and improve the accuracy of our decision making and execution in attack”.

“We have made some changes to the starting team. Andrew Burke was not considered for selection due to injury and the backline has been reshuffled with Ian Madigan moving from full back to out half, Kearney from wing to full back and mark Doyle to the wing with Ronan O'Mahony taking the available spot on the bench. The change in the forwards sees McAllister coming into loose head with jack McGrath moving across to tight head and jack O'Connell on the bench”.

Ireland U20 Team v Italy U20:

15 - David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)

14 - Mark Doyle (U.L. Bohemians/Munster)

13 - Ian McKinley (UCD/Leinster)

12 - Eamonn Sheridan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

11 - Michael Keating (Clontarf/Leinster)

10 - Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)

9 - Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)

1 - Paddy McAllister (Ballynahinch/Ulster)

2 - Thomas Sexton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

3 - Jack McGrath (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)

4 - Ciaran Ruddock (Neath/Exiles)

5 - Mark Flanagan (UCD/Leinster)

6 - Rhys Ruddock (Millfield School/Exiles)

7 - Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

8 - Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Replacements:

16 - David McGregor (Ballynahinch/Ulster)

17 - Jack O’Connell (Lansdowne/Leinster)

18 - James Sandford (Queens University/Ulster)

19 - Michael Noone (Seapoint/Leinster)

20 - Matthew Healy (Lansdowne/Leinster)

21 - Gary Foley (Blackrock College/Leinster)

22 - Ronan O’Mahony (Garryownen/Munster)

Meanwhile, Steve Hennessy, Ireland Women’s coach, has named an unchanged side for Sundays game against Italy in Collefero. The team opened their 6 nations campaign with a 7-5 win over their French counterparts last weekend in Ashbourne.

Ireland Women’s Team v Italy:

15. Joanne O’Sullivan (Richmond/ Ulster)

14. Jeannette Feighery (UL Bohemians/ Munster)

13. Lynne Cantwell (UL Bohemians/ Munster)

12. Helen Brosnan (Highfield/Munster)

11. Amy Davis (Blackrock/Ulster)

10. Niamh Briggs (Clonmel/ Munster)

9. Tania Rosser (Blackrock/ Leinster)

1. Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster)

2.Yvonne Nolan (Blackrock/ Leinster)

3. Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster

4. Caroline Mahon (UL Bohemians/Leinster)