Five Changes For Ireland Under-20s

The Ireland Under-20 team (sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers) has been named by coach Eric Elwood for their final pool match in the 2008 IRB Junior World Championship against Tonga tomorrow (Cardiff Arms Park, kick-off 3pm).

There are three changes to the Irish back-line which sees David Kearney, younger brother of senior international Rob, make his first appearance of the tournament on the right wing, Chris Cochrane also returns to don the number 11 jersey and Ian Madigan makes way for Martin Dufficy at out-half.

The other switches are in the second row and back row with Eoin Sheriff and Paul Ryan coming in for James Sandford and Michael Entwistle respectively. Openside flanker Ryan will once again captain the side.

Commenting on Saturday’s clash with the Tongans, Ireland coach Eric Elwood said: “The tournament so far has obviously been a disappointment, but we have not lost any of our hunger, this is a must win game for us.

“We need to improve on our accuracy, basic errors have cost us so far and we paid dearly for them. We know we have so much more in us and are looking forward to proving it in what will be another very physical encounter.”

IRELAND UNDER-20 TEAM & REPLACEMENTS (v Tonga Under-20s, IRB Junior World Championship, Saturday, June 14, Cardiff Arms Park, kick-off 3pm):

15 – Niall Morris (Blackrock College/Leinster)

14 – David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)

13 – Eoin O’Malley (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

12 – Conor Cleary (Greystones/Leinster)

11 – Chris Cochrane (Queen’s University/Ulster)

10 – Martin Dufficy (Dublin University/Leinster)

9 – Ian Porter (Queen’s University/Ulster)

1 – Paul Karayiannis (Queen’s University/Ulster)

2 – Jason Harris-Wright (Greystones/Leinster)

3 – Ben Barclay (UCD/Leinster)

4 – Ian Nagle (UCC/Munster)

5 – Eoin Sheriff (Lansdowne/Leinster)

6 – Kieran Essex (UL Bohemians/Munster)

7 – Paul Ryan (Blackrock College/Leinster) (capt)

8 – Patrick Mallon (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Replacements:

16 – Stephen Douglas (Ballymena/Ulster)

17 – Stephen Archer (UCC/Munster)

18 – James Sandford (Queen’s University/Ulster)

19 – Michael Entwistle (Ballymena/Ulster)

20 – David Moore (Blackrock College/Leinster)

21 – Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)

22 – Eamonn Sheridan (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Management:

Manager – Phil Orr

Coach – Eric Elwood

Assistant Coach – Dan McFarland

Ireland IRB Junior World Championship Fixtures (Pool A):

Tonga Under-20s v Ireland Under-20s, Saturday, June 14, Cardiff Arms Park, 3pm