Ireland Club XV Named For 2020 Series Decider

Ireland Club XV Head Coach Gearoid Prendergast has made two changes to his starting line-up to face Scotland Club XV in the Club International Series decider in Donnybrook this Friday (kick-off 5.45pm).

A total of 14 Munster club players have been selected with Young Munster’s Alan Kennedy once again named as captain.

Former Glenstal Abbey winger Colm Hogan is also included.

Matthew Byrne starts on the wing, having scored off the bench in last Friday’s 39-17 win in Galashiels.

There’s a rotation at hooker where Max Abbott comes in for Cork Constitution clubmate John Sutton. Abbott has three previous caps at this level against England Counties, France Fédérale and Scotland Club XV.

Commenting on the team selection, Head Coach Gearoid Prendergast said:

“We’ve made changes that will help us build on last week’s performance. The Scots owned the ball for long periods in the second half and we’ll need to address that.”

“We said from the outset we wanted to play a high tempo ball-in-hand game and I think we’ve shown that.

“We’ll have talented players with a high skill-set on a synthetic surface at home at Energia Park. It should be pretty entertaining.”

Three uncapped players come onto the bench. Conor Bartley will provide cover in the front row. Gearoid Lyons and Sam Coghlan Murray have both previously played for Nottingham in the English Championship.

The squad is drawn from players in the All-Ireland League. Tickets are now available via Ticketmaster.

 

Ireland Club XV: Jamie Heuston (Garryowen), Colm Hogan (Dublin University), Pa Ryan (Shannon), Bryan Fitzgerald (Garryowen), Matthew Byrne (Terenure College); James Taylor (UCC), Aran Hehir (Shannon); Conor Maguire (Old Wesley), Max Abbott (Cork Constitution), Andrew Keating (Garryowen), Brian Hayes (Cork Constitution), Alan Kennedy (Young Munster), Michael Melia (Terenure College), John Foley (Young Munster), Paul Derham (Old Wesley)

Replacements: Adam Clarkin (Terenure College), Conor Bartley (Young Munster), Corrie Barrett (Garryowen), Peter Claffey (Terenure College), Ryan Murphy (UCC), Gerry Hurley (Cork Constitution), Gearoid Lyons (Clontarf), Sam Coghlan Murray (Terenure College).

IRELAND CLUB XV Team & Replacements (v Scotland Club XV, 2020 Club International Series, Energia Park, Donnybrook, Friday, February 07, kick-off 5.45pm):

Player/Club/Caps –

15. Jamie Heuston (Garryowen) 1

14. Colm Hogan (Dublin University) 1

13. Pa Ryan (Shannon) 1

12. Bryan Fitzgerald (Garryowen) 1

11. Matthew Byrne (Terenure College) 1

10. James Taylor (UCC) 1

9. Aran Hehir (Shannon) 1

1. Conor Maguire (Old Wesley) 1

2. Max Abbott (Cork Constitution) 3

3. Andrew Keating (Garryowen) 2

4. Brian Hayes (Cork Constitution) 3

5. Alan Kennedy (Young Munster) 2

6. Michael Melia (Terenure College) 5

7. John Foley (Young Munster) 1

8. Paul Derham (Old Wesley) 1

Replacements:

16. Adam Clarkin (Terenure College) 1

17. Conor Bartley (Young Munster) 0

18. Corrie Barrett (Garryowen) 1

19. Peter Claffey (Terenure College) 1

20. Ryan Murphy (UCC) 1

21. Gerry Hurley (Cork Constitution) 10

22. Gearoid Lyons (Clontarf) 0

23. Sam Coghlan Murray (Terenure College) 0

Coaching & Management Team:
Head Coach: Gearoid Prendergast
Assistant Coach: James Blaney
Team Manager: Mark Hamilton
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Rob Cassidy
Baggage Master: Paddy ‘Rala’ O’Reilly
Team Doctor: Stuart O’Flanagan
Team Physiotherapist: Ailbe McCormack
Performance Analyst: Niall Kelly
Communications Manager: Ross O’Donoghue

2020 CLUB INTERNATIONAL SERIES FIXTURES:

Ireland Club XV v Scotland Clubs
Friday, February 7, kick-off 5.45pm
Energia Park, Donnybrook

Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.