Under-19s: Irish Bid To End On A High

Ireland Under-19s end their IRB World Cup campaign against Scotland U-19 today, with nothing but a third Durban win on the minds of Pat Murray’s ninth-place chasers.

IRB Under-19 World Cup: 9th-10th Place Play-off: Sunday, April 17
Ireland U-19 v Scotland U-19, King’s Park (2), Durban, 2.00pm

Murray has named an unchanged line-up from the one which earned Ireland’s second win of the competition – a 31-18 defeat of Japan U-19 – last Wednesday.

UCD full-back and top Irish points scorer Rob Kearney does re-assume the team captaincy from Trinity back row Diarmuid Laffan.

Kearney has kicked four conversions and three penalties (17 points) in Ireland’s four outings so far.

Ireland manager Michael Cunningham said: “The players are certainly tired at this stage in the tournament, but they will be up for this one.

“I think fitness will determine who wins this match. It’s been a long three weeks here in Durban and that’s hard on young players.”

IRELAND U-19:

(15) Robert Kearney (UCD) (Capt)
(14) Eric Moloney (UCC)
(13) Fergus McFadden (Clongowes)
(12) Darren Cave (Sullivan Upper School)
(11) Dale Black (Portadown)
(10) Killian Lett (UCD)
(9) Matthew D’Arcy (Dublin University)
(1) Callum Black (Hartpury)
(2) Gavin O’Meara (Lansdowne)
(3) Kevin Griffin (Shannon)
(4) David McGowan (Buccanneers)
(5) Devon Toner (Lansdowne)
(6) Adrian Saunderson (Ballyclare)
(7) Barry O’Mahony (Crescent College Comprehensive)
(8) Diarmuid Laffan (Dublin University)

Replacements:

(16) Conor Muldoon (Galwegians)
(17) Gary Walsh (UL Bohemians)
(18) Brendan Lynch (Rotherham Titans)
(19) Fergal Walsh (UCC)
(20) Greg Cooney (Old Belvedere)
(21) Peter Durcan (Roscrea)
(22) Robert Boles (Colstons Collegiate School)
(23) Keith Earls (St Munchin’s College)
(24) Kieran Moloney (Blackrock College RFC)
(25) Darren O’Reilly (Blackrock College)
(26) Daniel Dawson (Cooke)

Coach: Pat Murray
Assistant Coach: Bryan Hyland
Manager: Michael Cunningham

Scotland U-19: Tane Jericevich; Jonathan Alston, David McCall, Christopher Dunlop, Cameron Johnston; James King, Ali Miller; Kyle Traynor (Capt), Sean Crombie, Innes Brown, Allan Kelly, Greg Scott, Calum Forrester, Ross Rennie, John Barclay.

Replacements: Donald Malcolm, Alan Dymock, Oliver Tatham, Alex Clarke, James Taggart, Jamie Hood, Greg Cottrell, Andrew Easson, Lee Kibble, David Warwick, Torrie Callander.

Referee: Daniel Jabase (Argentina)

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Ireland U-19 Results:

Friday, April 1: Ireland U-19 16 Georgia U-19 0, Kings Park (3)

Tuesday, April 5: South Africa U-19 32 Ireland U-19 7, Woodburn Oval

Saturday, April 9: Australia U-19 23 Ireland U-19 0, ABSA Stadium

Wednesday, April 13: 9th-12th Place Play-Off: Ireland U-19 31 Japan U-19 18, Glenwood High School