31 Munster Players In Ireland Squads

A combined total of 31 Munster players were selected in the Ireland U20 and U18 squads in recent weeks.

There were 14 Munster players selected in the 41-player December training camps for the Ireland U20s as part of preparations for the 2017 Six Nations Championship.

Ten Munster players were named in the 27-man Ireland U18 Schools Development squad with seven players from Munster selected for the 27-player Ireland U18 Clubs and Schools team.

Thomond Park hosted the future stars of Irish Rugby last week with the annual challenge game between a Munster Development XV and the Ireland U20s once again proving to be an entertaining contest.

Munster led 28-0 at the interval but the young Irish side fought their way back to score 21 points in the second 40 to give a final score of 35-21.

Munster's try scorers were Rory Burke, Bailey Faloon, John Madigan, David McCarthy and Greg O'Shea while Shannon out-half Conor Fitzgerald enjoyed a 100% record off the tee, kicking all 5 conversions.

Munster Rugby Elite Player Development Officer Greig Oliver took charge of the hosts with Paul O'Connell the assistant coach in his first coaching involvement with a representative side.

Three Greencore Munster Rugby Academy players were included in the Ireland U20 camp – Gavin Coombes, Calvin Nash and Fineen Wycherley. Young Munster had four players in the squad, two forwards (Gavin Coombes and Wycherley) and two backs (Alan Tynan and Nash).

Three Garryowen players were included, all backs – Peadar Collins, Liam Coombes and Daniel Hurley.
Shannon half-back pairing Jack Stafford and Conor Fitzgerald were selected along with clubmate Adam Moloney (hooker). Cork Constitution had a forward and a back involved, centre Alex McHenry and prop Sam Deane. UL Bohemians' loosehead prop Joey Conway and scrum-half James Lennon were also included.

Tynan, McHenry, Lennon, Moloney and Conway all featured for the Ireland squad in the challenge match while academy lock Wycherley, Stafford, Fitzgerald and Liam Coombes lined out for the province.

Munster Rugby Elite Player Development Officer Colm McMahon was the Assistant Coach for the Ireland U18 Schools Development squad with 10 Munster players named in their December training camp.

Five backs and five forwards from Munster were included in the squad. Backs: Ben Healy (Glenstal Abbey), Craig Casey (Ardscoil Rís), Sean French (PBC), Conor Hayes (Young Munster) and John Hurley (Crescent College Comp).

Forwards: Colin Deane (Bandon Grammar), John Hodnett (Clonakilty), Luke Masters (CBC), Billy Scannell (PBC) and Josh Wycherley (CC Roscrea).

Billy Scannell, younger brother of senior players Niall and Rory, could become the third Scannell brother to play for the Ireland U18 Schools team if selected for the Five Nations.

Josh Wycherley's older brother, Fineen, is a member of the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy and is currently in a training camp with the Ireland U20s.

Five backs and two forwards made up the seven Munster players selected for the Ireland U18 Clubs and Schools side.

Backs: Jonathan Wren (PBC), Ikem Ugwueru (Ennis RFC), Evan O'Gorman (Young Munster RFC), Luke Fitzgerald (Glenstal Abbey) and Colin Sisk (CBC).

Forwards: Cian Hurley (CBC) and Mark Fleming (Glenstal Abbey).

Young Munster centre Evan O'Gorman captained the Munster U18 Clubs team that claimed the Interprovincial title last year with Ennis RFC winger Ikem Ugwueru also playing a big part for the U18 Clubs side.

Munster Players In Ireland U20 Training Panel
Peadar Collins (Garryowen)
Joey Conway (UL Bohemians)
Liam Coombes (Garryowen)
Gavin Coombes (Young Munster)
Conor Fitzgerald (Shannon)
Daniel Hurley (Garryowen)
James Lennon (UL Bohemians)
Alex McHenry (Cork Constitution)
Calvin Nash (Young Munster)
Jack Stafford (Shannon)
Alan Tynan (Young Munster)
Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster)
Sam Deane (Cork Constitution)
Adam Maloney (Shannon)

Munster Players In Ireland U18 Schools Development Squad
Craig Casey (Ardscoil Rís)
Colin Deane (Bandon Grammar)
Sean French (PBC)
Conor Hayes (Young Munster/Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh)
John Hodnett (Clonakilty/Mount St. Michael's Rosscarbery)
John Hurley (Crescent College Comp)
Luke Masters (CBC)
Billy Scannell (PBC)
Josh Wycherley (CC Roscrea)
Ben Healy (Glenstal Abbey)

Munster Players In Ireland U18 Clubs And Schools Squad
Jonathan Wren (PBC)
Ikem Ugwueru (Ennis RFC)
Evan O'Gorman (Young Munster)
Luke Fitzgerald (Glenstal Abbey)
Colin Sisk (CBC)
Cian Hurley (CBC)
Mark Fleming (Glenstal Abbey)