Ireland Club XV Named For Opening International Test

The Ireland Club XV team to play Scotland Club XV in the opening game of the 2020 Club International Series at Netherdale on Friday (kick-off 7.30pm) has been confirmed.

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

Former Glenstal Abbey winger Colm Hogan is also named.

The Young Munster man who featured against England Counties in 2017 will start alongside Brian Hayes in the second row. John Sutton and Andy Keating are named in the front row with the uncapped Conor Maguire.

Michael Melia starts his fifth consecutive club international and packs down in the back row with Paul Derham and John Foley.

Aran Hehir and James Taylor form an exciting partnership at half back and outside Taylor will be his UCC club mate Peter Sylvester. Pa Ryan is at outside centre with a back three of Jamie Heuston, Colm Hogan and Jack Ringrose.

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

“I’m excited to be working with this group of players. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last few weeks of preparation and I think they’re going to grab this opportunity with both hands. They’re young, they’re ambitious and above all talented.”

“The challenge has been managing training camps alongside players being involved with their clubs.” said Prendergast. “Our extended squad has evolved quite a bit.

“We’ve sprinkled some experience in there, but a lot of these guys will be playing in a club international for the first time so it’s massively exciting for them.”

The squad is made up of some of the most exciting players competing in the All-Ireland League with an average age of 23 in the starting XV.

Terenure College’s Adam Clarkin is a late inclusion to the squad as reserve hooker and 11 clubs in total are represented.

IRELAND CLUB XV Team & Replacements (v Scotland Club XV, 2020 Club International Series, Netherdale, Galashiels, Saturday, January 21, kick-off 7.30pm):

Player/Club/Caps –

15. Jamie Heuston (Garryowen) 0
14. Colm Hogan (Dublin University) 0
13. Pa Ryan (Shannon) 0
12. Peter Sylvester (UCC) 0
11. Jack Ringrose (UCD) 0
10. James Taylor (UCC) 0
9. Aran Hehir (Shannon) 0
1. Conor Maguire (Old Wesley) 0
2. John Sutton (Cork Constitution) 2
3. Andrew Keating (Garryowen) 1
4. Brian Hayes (Cork Constitution) 2
5. Alan Kennedy (Young Munster) 1
6. Michael Melia (Terenure College) 4
7. John Foley (Young Munster) 0
8. Paul Derham (Old Wesley) 0

Replacements:
16. Adam Clarkin (Terenure College) 0
17. Corrie Barrett (Garryowen) 0
18. JP Phelan (Clontarf) 0
19. Peter Claffey (Terenure College) 0
20. Ryan Murphy (UCC) 0
21. Gerry Hurley (Cork Constitution)10
22. Bryan Fitzgerald (Garryowen) 0
23. Matthew Byrne (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:

Scotland Club XV v Ireland Club XV
Friday, January 31, kick-off 7.30pm
Netherdale, Galashiels

Ireland Club XV v Scotland Club XV
Friday, February 7, kick-off 5.45pm
Donnybrook
Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.