Ireland Club team to face England announced

The Ireland Club team to play England Counties in the Ulster Bank Club International at Anglesea Road on Friday evening has been named.

Cork Constitution's Gerry Hurley will start at scrum half with Matt D'Arcy of St Mary's College named in the replacements.

Hurley will partner Dolphin's Barry Keeshan in the half backs. Evan Ryan, now with Clontarf but previously with Cork Con, partners Eric Moloney in the centres to increase the Cork influence.

John O'Brien, John Cleary and David Mongan again comprise an attacking back three.

Up front, coach David O'Mahony has retained the same pack that helped power the Club side to victory over the Scottish Clubs last weekend to win the Dalriada Cup.

The back row of Hugh Hogan, Barry O'Mahony and team captain Frank Cogan may again prove influential as Ireland face a strong England Counties side.

The game kicks off at 5.30pm in Old Belvedere's Anglesea Road ground and promises to be a cracking game of rugby.

Ireland Club (Team & Replacements, Ulster Bank Club International v England Counties, Anglesea Road, Friday March 18, kick-off: 5.30pm)

15. John O'Brien (Buccaneers)

14. John Cleary (Galwegians)

13. Eric Moloney (Dolphin)

12. Evan Ryan (Clontarf)

11. David Mongan (Old Belvedere)

10. Barry Keeshan (Dolphin)

9. Gerry Hurley (Cork Constitution)

1. John Ryan (UCC)

2. Richie Sweeney (St. Mary's College)

3. Christy Condon (Dolphin)

4. Philip Donnellan (UCC)

5. Simon Crawford (Clontarf)

6. Hugh Hogan (St. Mary's College)

7. Barry O'Mahony (Clontarf)

8. Frank Cogan (Cork Constitution) (capt)

Replacements:

16. Ciaran Kavanagh (Clontarf)

17. Ger Slattery (Young Munster)

18. Liam Og Murphy (Young Munster)

19. Damian Hall (St. Mary's College)

20.Matt D'Arcy (St. Mary's College)

21. Alan Kingsley (Young Munster)

22. Stuart Morrow (Ballynahinch)

Ireland Management Team:

David O'Mahony - Head Coach

Pat McHale - Team Manager

Andy Wood - Assistant Coach

Eugene McEntegart - Strength & Conditioning Coach

William Duggan - Doctor

Ailbe McCormack - Doctor

Pat Downey/Jim Barden - Bagmen