RUGBY WORLD CUP: Ireland ready for opening task against Wales

Ireland U20 Head Coach Nigel Carolan has named the side to face Wales in Ireland's opening game of the World Rugby U20 Championship at the Manchester City Academy Stadium.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Jun 2016, 22:48 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2016, 11:37 BST
The captains of the teams taking part in the Under-20 Rugby World CupThe captains of the teams taking part in the Under-20 Rugby World Cup
The captains of the teams taking part in the Under-20 Rugby World Cup

Captained by Lansdowne and Leinster second-row James Ryan, the side contains four players who are uncapped at U20 level.

Leinster and St. Mary’s back-row David Aspil and Munster and Garryowen out-half Bill Johnston will win their first U20 caps when they run out in Manchester, while forwards Vincent O’Brien and Vakh Abdaladaze will be looking to win their first caps from the bench.

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Front-rowers Andrew Porter and Adam McBurney will be appearing in their second U20 Championships, having played in Italy last year. Buccaneers and Connacht tight-head prop Conor Kenny completes the front-row.

Captain Ryan is partnered in the second-row by Sligo and Connacht’s Cillian Gallagher, who moves into the number 4 jersey having played at flanker during the Six Nations.

The back-row is comprised of new-comer Aspil, Lansdowne number 8 Max Deegan and UCD flanker Greg Jones.

Sligo scrum-half Stephen Kerins partners Johnston at half-back, with Conor O’Brien and Shane Daly renewing their centre partnership from the Six Nations.

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The back three is comprised of Belfast Harlequins and Ulster full-back Jacob Stockdale, who is the third member of the squad appearing at his second U20 Championship and wings Matthew Byrne of Terenure RFC and UCD’s Hugo Keenan.

Carolan said: “The game against Wales is a hugely important test for this team and we’ve been building towards it since we came together as a squad a number of weeks ago. Wales are the Grand Slam champions so it’s going to be a challenging game, but one the players are looking forward to.

“There’s a good mix to the team that’s been selected – the likes of Andrew, Adam and Jacob were here last year and can bring that experience into the squad, while there will also be some players winning new caps and we’re looking forward to seeing what they can do in the green jersey.”

The game, which will be live on TG4 and Sky Sports 1, kicks off at 5.30pm and will be refereed by New Zealander Paul Williams.

Related topics:IrelandWales