Five Changes For Ireland Under-19s

Ireland Under-19 coach Charlie McAleese has made five changes and two positional switches to his side for this evening’s IRB U-19 World Championship clash with Samoa (Sharjah, kick-off 5.00pm).

…Aidan Wynne in action during Blackrock College’s Powerade Leinster Schools Senior Cup final win last month…

Ireland Under-19 coach Charlie McAleese has made five changes and two positional switches to his side for this evening’s IRB U-19 World Champinship clash with Samoa (Sharjah Wanderers ground, kick-off 5.00pm Irish time).

All five players will make their first starts of the tournament – Niall O’Connor of Limavady GS takes over at full-back from Sean Carey, while Blackrock College’s Aidan Wynne and Ivan Dineen of CBC Cork man the midfield. Winger Shane Monahan and centre Ian Keatley have been benched – St. Munchin’s star Keith Earls retains his place in the side, but is shifted to a right wing berth.

The changes in the pack come in the front row with hooker Gerard Slattery and prop James Gethings benched, and Castleknock’s Ruaidhri Murphy and hooker David Gilchrist of UCD brought in. Cian Healy moves from loosehead to tighthead with Murphy, Ireland’s heaviest player at 18st 4lbs, in the number one jersey.

A second win of the tournament for the Irish would rank them in the middle section of Division A, earning them a 5th-8th play-off place.

IRELAND U-19: Niall O’Connor (Limavady GS); Keith Earls (St Munchin’s), Ivan Dineen (CBC Cork), Aidan Wynne (Blackrock College), Michael Barker (Queens University); Brian Collins (Castlenock College), Paul O’Donohoe (Belvedere College); Ruaidhri Murphy (Castleknock College), David Gilchrist (UCD), Cian Healy (Belvedere College), Andrew Browne (Galwegians), Conor McInerney (UCD), Tommy O’Donnell (UL Bohemians), David Pollock (Queens University) (capt), Kevin Sheahan (UCD).

Replacements: Richard Sweeney (UCD), Gerard Slattery (St Munchin’s), James Gethings (Gonzaga), Jonathan Graham (Ballynahinch), Thomas Walsh (Castlenock College), David Drake (Instonians), Sean Carey (Garbally College), Shane Monahan (Dublin University), Ian Keatley (UCD), Ian Whitten (Queens University).