6 Munster Players To Face Wales U20.
6th June 2016 By Munster Rugby
Ireland U20 Head Coach Nigel Carolan has named his side to face Wales in Ireland’s opening game of the World Rugby U20 Championship at the Manchester City Academy Stadium on Tuesday and includes six Munster players in the matchday 23.
Munster’s Bill Johnston and Vincent O’Brien are amongst those in line to win their first caps at U20 level, Johnston doing so from the out half berth while O’Brien will hope to see some game time from the bench.
Elsewhere Shane Daly starts at outside centre with Ben Betts, Sean O’Connor and Kelvin Brown also named on the bench.
Click here to find out more about all eight Munster representatives in this year’s World Rugby U20 Championship squad.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, 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.
Ireland U20 v Wales U20.
Manchester City Academy Stadium, Tuesday 7th June, 5.30pm.
15. Jacob Stockdale (Belfast Harlequins / Ulster)
14. Matthew Byrne (Terenure / Leinster)
13. Shane Daly (Cork Con / Munster)
12. Conor O'Brien (Clontarf / Leinster)
11. Hugo Keenan (UCD / Leinster)
10. Bill Johnston (Garryowen / Munster)*
9. Stephen Kerins (Sligo / Connacht)
1. Andrew Porter (UCD / Leinster)
2. Adam McBurney (Ballymena / Ulster)
3. Conor Kenny (Buccaneers / Connacht)
4. Cillian Gallagher (Sligo / Connacht)
5. James Ryan (Lansdowne / Leinster) Captain
6. Greg Jones (UCD / Leinster)
7. David Aspil (St.Mary's RFC / Leinster)*
8. Max Deegan (Lansdowne / Leinster)
Replacements
16. Vincent O'Brien (Cork Con / Munster)*
17. Vakh Abdaladze (Clontarf / Leinster)*
18. Ben Betts (Young Munster / Munster)
19. Sean O'Connor (Cashel / Munster)
20. Kelvin Brown (Shannon / Munster)
21. Niall Saunders (Epsom College)
22. Johnny McPhillips (Queens University / Ulster)
23. Jimmy O'Brien (UCD / Leinster)
*Denotes Uncapped at this level
Ireland U20 World Rugby U20 Championship Fixtures
Pool A
Wales v Ireland
Manchester City Academy Stadium
Tuesday 7th June, 2016
KO: 17:30
New Zealand v Ireland
Manchester City Academy Stadium
Saturday 11th June, 2016
KO: 13:30
Ireland v Georgia
Manchester City Academy Stadium
Wednesday 15th June, 2016
KO: 17:30
Semi-Finals
Manchester City Academy Stadium OR AJ Bell Stadium, Salford
Monday 20th June 2016
Play-Offs
Manchester City Academy Stadium OR AJ Bell Stadium, Salford
Saturday 25th June 2016
