Ireland U20 Side Named

The Ireland Under-20 team has been named today by Head Coach Mike Ruddock for this Friday’s opening game in the Under-20 RBS Six Nations Championship against Wales, in Dubarry Park, Athlone ko 7.05pm.

Munster’s JJ Hanrahan and Niall Scanell have been named in the starting XV which includes seven players from last year’s international squad.

Buccaneers own Daniel Qualter will partner up with Iain Henderson in the second row while fellow Connacht native Aaron Conneely is named in the back row.

Kieran Marmion will take up the scrum half position and will partner Paddy Jackson who has been named at outhalf. Jackson will also captain this year’s side.

Speaking ahead of the opening game Ruddock said “We are all looking forward to the start of the 6 Nations. It is always a tough test against Wales but preparations have been first class and we are confident we have prepared as best as we can and are now looking forward to transferring that training onto the pitch itself.”

Ireland U-20 v Wales U-20

15 – Shane Layden (Buccaneers – Connacht)
14 – Barry Daly (UCD – Leinster)
13 – Foster Horan (Lansdowne – Leinster)
12 – JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians – Munster)
11 – Sam Coghlan-Murray (UCD – Leinster)
10 – Patrick Jackson (Dungannon – Ulster) Captain
9 – Kieran Marmion (Corinthians – Connacht)
1 – Kyle McCall (Ballynahinch – Ulster)
2 – Niall Scannell (Dolphin – Munster)
3 – Peter Reilly (Lansdowne – Leinster)
4 – Iain Henderson (QUB – Ulster)
5 – Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers – Connacht)
6 – Conor Gilsenan (UCD – Leinster)
7 – Aaron Conneely (Corinthians – Connacht)
8 – Jack Conan (Old Belvedere – Leinster)

Replacements:

16 – Des Merrey (Clontarf – Leinster)
17 – James Rael (Garryowen – Munster)
18 – Jake Cawley (XXX – Leinster)
19 – Tadgh Beirne (Lansdowne – Leinster)
20 – Jordan Coghlan (UCD – Leinster)
21 – Luke McGrath (UCD – Leinster)
22 – Cathal Marsh (Dublin University – Leinster)
23 – Christopher Farrell (Dungannon – Ulster)

Ireland Under-20 RBS 6 Nations Fixtures 2012 (All Kick-off Times GMT):
Fri 3rd Feb 19:05 Ireland U20 v Wales U20 Dubarry Park
Sat 11th Feb 14:00 France U20 v Ireland U20 Grenoble
Fri 24th Feb 19:05 Ireland U20 v Italy U20 Dubarry Park
Fri 9th Mar 19:05 Ireland U20 v Scotland U20 Dubarry Park
Fri 16th Mar 20:05 England U20 v Ireland U20 Adams Park