Cherry Blossoms Visit Thomond Park

A Spring Evening brings Cherry Blossoms at Thomond Park tomorrow at 6pm, when Munster’s best young players take on a touring Japanese side in Limerick in what’s sure to be a unique and entertaining game of rugby.

An opportunity, too, for those in Munster to see what the Japanese underage structure, which this time is comprised of the best of the High Schools across the two islands, beginning their tour of Ireland on the banks of the Shannon, before taking on representative sides from all four provinces.

Takeshi Kikutani’s side are sure to provide a tough test to the Munster boys, and provide those in Ireland a rare glimpse at a country’s rugby side rarely seen on these shores at any level.

Munster Head Coach Mark Butler is sure to have his side well drilled, however, and an opportunity to see how players from all levels – school, club, and abroad – play together in a Munster shirt.

Gates open at 5pm, and tickets are available for €5 for Adults, and €3 for Juveniles.

Munster U19 Development:

15. Sean Hudson (Bandon Grammar)
14. Ikem UgWueru (Ennis RFC)
13. Kieran Dunne (Sale Sharks)
12. David McCarthy (Garryowen RFC)
11. Paul Clancy (Castletroy College)
10. Alex Molloy (Waterpark RFC)
9. Craig Casey (Ardscoil Rís)
1. Josh Wycherly (Cistercian Roscrea)
2. Diarmuid Barron (Garryowen RFC)
3. James French (Bandon Grammar)
4. Colin Deane (Bandon Grammar)
5. Fintan Coleman (Crescent College)
6. Sean Duffy (CBC)
7. Jack Daly (Castleisland RFC)
8. John Hodnett (Clonakilty RFC)

Replacements from: 16. Tadgh McCarthy (Bantry/UCC), 17. Luke Masters (CBC), 18. Ashley Deane (Bandon Grammar), 19. Paddy Kelly (St Munchin’s College), 20. Odhran Ring (Ardscoil Rís), 21. Joe Murphy (Clongowes College), 22. Evan O’Gorman (Young Munster RFC), 23. JD O’Hea (CBC), 24. Liam Barrett (Bruff RFC).

Japan U19 Development:

15. Kyohei Yamasawa
14. Yu Saruta
13. Fifita Siosaia
12. Hiroaki Saito
11. Yoshiyuki Koga
10. Hiroto Mamada
9. Syun Arai
1. Gaku Shimizu
2. Yuichiro Taniguchi
3. Koichi Endo
4. Kodai Takahashi
5. Ryuga Hashimoto (C)
6.Syota Fukui
7. Ikuma Yamada
8. Moala Asipeli Finau

Replacements from: 16. Ibuki Kondo, 17. Yuto Yabuki, 18. Suguru Kubo, 19. Katsuto Kubo, 20. Faialaga Nozomu Samuel, 21. Azuma Doei, 22. Tomoya Kimura, 23. Mori Yuto, 24. Kento Matsumoto, 25. Nezuka Kouga.