Foley To Start Against England U20

Ireland U20 Head Coach Nigel Carolan includes nine Munster players in his side to face England U20 this Friday evening in Donnybrook at 6pm with the Greencore Munster Academy’s John Foley one of two changes to the starting XV.

Foley makes his Ireland U20 debut at flanker with the other change for this final-round 6 Nations encounter seeing Gavin Mullin return from injury to wear the number 13 jersey.

In total, Munster have two representatives across the backline – captain and winger Calvin Nash and playmaker Bill Johnston – with a further three up front – debutant Foley, prop Joey Conway and lock Fineen Wycherley.

Munster’s Gavin Coombes, Conor Fitzgerald, Colm Hogan and Jack Stafford are named among the replacements with Stafford another in line to win his first cap.

Ahead of the St. Patrick’s Day fixture, Nigel Carolan said, “It was disappointing to come back from Wales without the win last weekend, but unfortunately some things just didn’t work out for us on the night.

“The players have dusted themselves down from that game and are now looking forward to Friday night’s fixture.

“England are coming to town with the title in the bag, but the players really want to finish the campaign on a positive note, so we’re confident that we can put in a big performance in front of a home crowd on St. Patrick’s Day.”

Limited tickets are available for Friday night’s double header with the Ireland U20’s (6pm) and Ireland Women’s (8pm) games against England in Donnybrook via www.ticketmaster.ie

Ireland U20 vs England U20, Donnybrook, Friday 17th March 2017, 6.00pm (Live on RTE 2)
15. Jordan Larmour (St. Mary’s College / Leinster)
14. Tommy O’Brien (UCD RFC / Leinster)
13. Gavin Mullin (UCD RFC / Leinster)
12. Ciaran Frawley (UCD RFC / Leinster)
11. Calvin Nash (Young Munster / Munster) Captain
10. Bill Johnston (Garryowen / Munster)
9. Jonny Stewart (Queen’s University / Ulster)

1. Joey Conway (UL Bohemians / Munster)
2. Tadgh McElroy (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
3. Charlie Connolly (Dublin University / Leinster)
4. Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster / Munster)
5. Oisin Dowling (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
6. John Foley (Shannon RFC / Munster)*
7. Paul Boyle (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
8. Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College / Leinster)

Replacements
16. Ronan Kelleher (UCD / Leinster)
17. Greg McGrath (Lansdowne / Leinster)*
18. Matthew Burke (Corinthians / Connacht)
19. Jack Regan (UCD RFC / Leinster)
20. Gavin Coombes (Young Munster / Munster)
21. Jack Stafford (Shannon / Munster)*
22. Conor Fitzgerald (Shannon RFC / Munster)
23. Colm Hogan (Dublin University / Munster)

*Uncapped at Ireland U20 level

Not considered due to injury
Peter Cooper
Cillian Gallagher
Jack Lyons
Johnny McPhillips
Alex McHenry
Jack Kelly
Robert Lyttle