Coughlan to captain Wolfhounds against Saxons

Munster number 8 James Coughlan has been chosen to skipper the Ireland Wolfhounds against England Saxons in tomorrow night’s clash at the Sportsground (7.35pm).

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney has named eight uncapped players in the starting XV including the captain.

Ulster duo Paddy Jackson and Paul Marshall form the half back partnership and are joined in the backline by local favourites Robbie Henshaw and David McSharry.

Wingers Andrew Trimble and Luke Fitzgerald are the more seasoned campaigners who will line up behind the pack with Darren Cave partnering McSharry in midfield.

Up front Mike Sherry packs down between the recently capped Dave Kilcoyne and Michael Bent.

Lewis Stevenson will join Devin Toner in the engine room while Kevin McLaughlin and the uncapped Tommy O'Donnell complete the backrow with Coughlan.

Ireland Wolfhounds (v. England Saxons):

15 - Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)*

14 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster/49)

13 - Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster/3)

12 - Dave McSharry (UCD/Connacht/)*

11 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster/23)

10 - Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)*

9 - Paul Marshall (Ballymena/Ulster/)*

1 - David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster/2)

2 - Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)*

3 - Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster/2)

4 - Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster)*

5 - Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster/3)

6 - Kevin McLaughlin (St.Mary's College/Leinster/5)

7 - Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster)*

8 - James Coughlin (Dolphin/Munster)* Captain

Replacements:

16 - Damien Varley (Garryowen/Munster/2)

17 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster/29)

18 - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon /Ulster/2)

19 - Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster/2)

20 - Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster/1)

21 - Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster/15)

22 - Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)*

23 - Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster/2)

N.B. *denotes uncapped player