Irish U-18 prepare to emulate Grand Slam heroes

The Ireland U-18 club squad of 26 players to participate in the 2009 FIRA/AER U-18 Championships in France from April 2-12 has been announced.

Coach Greg Lynch and manager Willie Gribben are mindful Ireland has reached the final of this tournament over the last two seasons.

This year’s European Championships involves 32 European Nations divided into four divisions. On the basis of last year’s performances in the tournament the top division features (in order of seeding): France, Ireland, England, Italy, Romania, Georgia, Russia and Belgium.

Ireland will face seventh seeds Russia in their first match on Sunday, April 5, with the winners facing the winners of the England v Georgia match on Wednesday, April 8.

Finals day will be staged in the Stade Mayol, home of Toulon Rugby Club, on Saturday, April 11.

Ireland U-18 club squad (FIRA/AER U18 European Championships):

Callum Boland (Buccaneers /Connacht)

Andrew Boyle (Old Wesley /Leinster)

Callum Burke (Hampton School/London Wasps /Exiles)

Jack Carty (Buccaneers /Connacht)

Aaron Conneely (Corinthians /Connacht)

Grant Connon (Austin Friars St Monicas'/Newcastle Falcons /Exiles)

Jake Considine (Young Munster /Munster)

Rory Cunningham (Galwegians /Connacht)

Paul Dean (Old Wesley /Leinster)

Mark Dolan (Buccaneers /Connacht)

Eddie Downes (Wicklow /Leinster)

Tadhg Furlong (New Ross /Leinster)

Dominic Gallagher (Lisburn /Ulster)

Robbie Holt (Edenderry /Leinster)

Michael Kearney (Clontarf /Leinster)

David Lynch (Naas /Leinster)

Kieran Marmion (Kirkham GS /Exiles)

Nathaniel Mc Donald (Worcester Warriors /Exiles)

Eoin McKeon (Galwegians /Connacht)

Jonathan Murphy (Banbridge /Ulster)

Luke Murphy Woolridge (St Olaves School /Exiles)

Luke O'Keefe (London Wasps /Exiles)

Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers /Connacht)

Michael Sherlock (Skerries /Leinster)

Connor Smyth (Coleraine /Ulster)

John Sutton (New Ross /Leinster).