Hanrahan and Buckley Start For U20s

UL Boh’s JJ Hanrahan and Garryowen’s Shane Buckley have been promoted to the starting XV of the Ireland U20s.

Following an opening round victory against Italy and a home defeat against France, the Irish U20s now face the Scottish challenge this Friday night in Inverness.

Coach Mike Ruddock has made a number of changes to the side that suffered defeat to France two weeks ago.

Academy player JJ Hanrahan and sub academy player Shane Buckley will make their first starts of the campaign and academy player Gareth Quinn McDonogh makes a return to the Irish U20s squad, having been involved last season.

Cork Con's Cathal O'Flaherty who has impressed in recent Ulster Bank League games is also named in the replacements for the first time.

Speaking of his selection, Ruddock said, “We are looking forward to travelling to Inverness and to playing Scotland.”

“We have a panel determined to do better. We felt we have not been as effective in our defense as we would have hoped and have asked players to look at that and for a positive reaction. If we can achieve that we will see an improvement.”

Ireland U20s take on Scotland U20s in Tulloch Stadium, Inverness on Friday 25th February, ko 7.30pm.

Ireland Under U20s:

15 -Michael Sherlock (Clontarf – Leinster)
14 -Tiernan O'Halloran (Galwegians – Connacht)
13 – Alex Kelly (UCD – Leinster)
12 – JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemian – Munster)
11 – Andrew Boyle (UCD – Leinster)
10 – Patrick Jackson (Dungannon – Ulster)
9 – Blane McIlroy (Ballymena – Ulster)
1 – James Tracy (UCD – Leinster)
2 – Niall Annett (Belfast Harlequins – Ulster) (Captain)
3 – Martin Moore (Lansdowne – Leinster)
4 – Michael Kearney (Clontarf – Leinster)
5 – Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers – Connacht)
6 – Shane Buckley (Garryowen – Munster)
7 – Aaron Conneely (Corinthians – Connacht)
8 – Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne – Leinster)

Replacements:
16 – David Doyle (UCD – Leinster)
17 – Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf – Leinster)
18 – Iain Henderson (Queens – Ulster)
19 – Cathal O'Flaherty (Cork Constitution – Munster)
20 – Mark Dolan (Corinthians – Connacht)
21 – Gareth Quinn McDonogh (Shannon – Munster)
22 – Colm O'Shea (Old Belvedere – Leinster)