Strong Representation In Emerging Ireland Side

The Emerging Ireland coaching ticket of Allen Clarke and Girvan Dempsey have named their side to take on Emerging Italy in the group’s opening fixture of the World Rugby Tbilisi Cup this Saturday. Five Munster players are included in the matchday 23.

Munster’s Stephen Archer, Billy Holland, JJ Hanrahan and Andrew Conway all feature in the starting 15 while Greencore Munster Academy player Rory Scannell is named amongst the replacements.

There were two late call-ups to the Emerging Ireland squad this week with Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) replacing Eoin McKeon (Corinthians/Connacht) and Andrew Browne (Galwegians/Connacht) replacing Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster).

Conan starts at No.8 and is joined in the back-row by squad captain Rhys Ruddock at blindside with Dan Leavy at openside. The second-row is made up of Ben Marshall and Billy Holland while the front-row consists of Denis Buckley, Rob Herring and Stephen Archer.

Luke McGrath partners JJ Hanrahan at half-back with Stuart McCloskey and Eoin Griffin paired in midfield. The back-three consists of Andrew Conway and Matt Healy on the wings with Tiernan O'Halloran at fullback.

The replacements bench consists of Dave Heffernan, Andy Warwick, Finlay Bealham, Andrew Browne, Eoghan Masterson, John Cooney, Rory Scannell and Peter Nelson.

Emerging Ireland Coach, Allen Clarke commented, "In the short period we have been together we have had a very positive response from the players. The game against Emerging Italy provides an opportunity for these players to illustrate to us how well they have prepared and their ability to cope within this challenging environment.”

Emerging Ireland will face off against Uruguay in their second game of the tournament on Wednesday June 17^th before taking on the hosts Georgia in their final game on Sunday 21^st June. Both Uruguay and Georgia will compete in this year's Rugby World Cup in England.

Emerging Ireland Squad to play Emerging Italy
Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia KO 17:00 / 14:00 GMT

15. Tiernan O'Halloran (Buccaneers/Connacht)
14. Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster)
13. Eoin Griffin (London Irish)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
11. Matt Healy (Lansdowne/Connacht)
10. JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster)
9. Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster)

1. Denis Buckley (Corinthians/Connacht)
2. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
3. Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution/Munster)
4. Ben Marshall (Old Belvedere/Connacht)
5. Billy Holland (Cork Constitution/Munster)
6. Rhys Ruddock (St Mary's College/Leinster) capt.
7. Dan Leavy (UCD/Leinster)
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan (Buccaneers/Connacht)
17. Andy Warwick (Ballymena/Ulster)
18. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)
19. Andrew Browne (Galwegians /Connacht)
20. Eoghan Masterson (Corinthians/Connacht)
21. John Cooney (Terenure/Connacht)
22. Rory Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)
23. Peter Nelson (Malone/Ulster)

Emerging Ireland Fixtures

Emerging Italy v EMERGING IRELAND
Saturday 13^th June 17:00 (14:00 GMT)

Uruguay v EMERGING IRELAND
Wednesday 17^th June 17:00 (14:00 GMT)

Georgia v EMERGING IRELAND
Sunday 21^st June 19:00 (16:00 GMT)