Kerr releases Thornton for Premiership showdown

Brian Kerr has allowed under-20 international Sean Thornton to miss preparations for the World Youth Championships so he can line out for Sunderland in their Premiership game against Bolton next week.

Ireland's under-20s are due to play Egypt in a friendly on Saturday week, the same day that Sunderland face Bolton at the Stadium of Light, but Kerr has allowed Thornton to skip the game because of his club commitments.