Oliver & O’Connell To Coach Development Team

Head Coach Greig Oliver will be assisted by Paul O’Connell when the Munster Development XV take on an Ireland U20 selection at Thomond Park on Thursday, December 29, at 1pm (Free entry).

Elite Player Development Officer Greig Oliver will take charge of the side with Paul O'Connell the Assistant Coach in his first coaching involvement with a representative side.

O'Connell rejoined the province last July in a part-time advisory role with the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy.

As Elite Player Development Manager Peter Malone is in camp with the Ireland U20s and Elite Player Development Officer Colm McMahon is involved with the Ireland U18 Schools Development Squad, O'Connell will assist Oliver for the clash.

The Munster Development XV will include players from the senior squad, the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy, and the wider panel of the Munster U20s.

Oliver was delighted to see 14 Munster players selected in the December training camps for the Ireland U20s as part of preparations for the 2017 Six Nations Championship. (Full story here)

"It's great to have such excellent representation," said Oliver.

"Fineen (Wycherley), Calvin (Nash) and Gavin (Coombes) are all in the full academy with a large representation coming from our sub-academy ranks also. Every time these lads take to the field these days they have the opportunity to get noticed, be it in the AIL or the B&I Cup. We get the footage for all these games and we use that to track their progress.

"It's such an important squad to be selected for as the games against Munster and Leinster development sides will determine selection for the 2017 Six Nations. All those in the mix for Irish selection will either represent Ireland or their province over the two games. It presents them with a massive opportunity and they need to grasp it to be in the running for the Six Nations squad which will be announced in January."

Fixture
Munster Development XV v Ireland U20 XV
Thursday 29th December 2016, 1pm
Thomond Park