Under 19 Squad for IRB World Championship Announced

The Ireland U19 Squad (sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers) for the IRB Under 19 World Championship has been named today (Wednesday, 21st March).

EMBARGO 2:15 p.m.

The Championships will take place in Belfast from April 4^th – 21^st. The Ireland squad will be captained by Paul Ryan of Blackrock College RFC.

Ireland Coach Charlie McAleese said, “Playing at home as the hosts for the tournament was always an added incentive for many of the boys and the selection process has seen a large number of superb candidates whittled down to the final twenty six. As always, there are some disappointed players, but the selections were difficult in many of the positions for the final squad”.

“The pressures of also playing as tournament hosts will be a big part of our challenge, as will the top class opponents we will be facing.  It does not get much tougher then playing the defending champions in your opening game and Australia are always tremendously strong at this level”.

“We will need to be at the very top of our game to be able to compete with all of our Pool A opponents over the next couple of weeks, but if we get off to a winning start it will set us up for the rest of the tournament”.

Paul Ryan, also expressed his delight at being named Captain, “It does not get much better then captaining Ireland at any level, but to be doing it as hosts in these World Championships makes it extra special”.

“Playing at home will hopefully give the team an edge and we know that the famous Irish, and especially Ulster, support will give us a great reception during all of our games.  Playing Southern hemisphere teams will be a new experience for the majority of the team and we know that they will be physical in all aspects of their play and we expect some really tough games in our opening pool matches”.

“The chance to play at home in such a great tournament is great opportunity for myself and the rest of the squad, so we are really looking forward to the start of the competition”.

The Ireland Under 19 Squad for the IRB Under 19 World Championship is as follows:

Player                          School/Club

Forwards (14)

Brian Cawley                  UCD

Stephen Douglas            Ballymena

Kieran Essex                  Christian Brothers College, Cork/UCC

David Foley                    U.L. Bohemians

Jason Harris-Wright        Blackrock College

Paul Karayianis               RBAI/Queens

Ian Leonard                   St. Michael’s College

Patrick Mallon                St. Michael’s College

Patrick McCabe              Dublin University

Ian Nagle                       Glenstal Abbey

Matthew Nelson             Ballynahinch

Rajan Riley                    St. Michael’s College

Paul Ryan (Captain)        Blackrock College RFC

Michael Sherry               Ard Scoil Rís/Garryowen

 

Backs (11)

Paddy Brophy                 St. Michael’s College

Conor Cleary                  St. Michael’s College

Adam Craig                   Instonians

Scott Deasy                   Presentation Brothers College, Cork

Alan Gaughan                Buccaneers

Kris Greene                    St. Mary’s College RFC

Murray Kinsella              Newtown School, Waterford

Harry McAleese              Ballynahinch RFC

Niall Morris                    Blackrock College RFC

Eoin O’Malley                 UCD

Tommy Seymour            Down High School

Jamie Smith                   Ballymena                     

 

Coaching Staff

Coach – Charlie McAleese

Manager – Gerard Slattery

Assistant Coach – Bobby Byrne

Defence coach – Kurt McQuilkan

Physiotherapist – Shane Collins

Physiotherapist – Josh Hoopes

Doctor – Tim O’Flanagan

Fitness Advisor – Ray Egan

Technical Advisor – Derek Suffern

 

Pool A – Ireland Fixtures

Australia v Ireland, Ravenhill, Belfast 05/04/2007, Kick off 19:30

Scotland v Ireland, Ravenhill, Belfast 09/04/2007, Kick off 19:30

South Africa v Ireland, Ravenhill, Belfast 13/04/2007, Kick off 19:30

 

You can keep up to date with information on the tournament and the Irish team on IrishRugby.ie

For further information on the tournament and up to date match reports, log onto http://www.irbu19.com/