Ireland U-18 Clubs Side Named For Semi-Final

The Ireland Under-18 Clubs team to face England U-18s in the semi-final of the FIRA/AER Under-18 European Championships has been named. Coach Greg Lynch has made a number of changes to the team that defeated Russia in the opening round.

The Ireland Under-18 Clubs team to face England Under-18s at Stade Du Payanet this afternoon has been named.

Coach Greg Lynch has made a number of changes to the side that defeated Russia 32-5 in last Sunday’s Group A quarter-final.

Michael Sherlock switches to right wing with Paul Dean coming in on the left, while Nathaniel McDonald makes way for Andrew Boyle at centre. Kieron Marmion will start at scrum half.

Up front Tadhg Furlong moves across the scrum as Luke Murphy Wooldridge comes in at tighthead prop.

Michael Kearney is another new inclusion in the second row and Callum Burke also starts at openside flanker.

IRELAND UNDER-18 CLUBS v England U-18 (FIRA/AER Under-18 European Championships, Cote d’Azure, France, Wednesday, April 8,kick-off 4pm local time):

15. Callum Boland (Buccaneers – Connacht)
14. Michael Sherlock (Skerries – Leinster) 
13. Andrew Boyle (Old Wesley – Leinster) 
12. David Lynch (Naas – Leinster) (capt)
11. Paul Dean (Old Wesley – Leinster)
10. Jack Carty (Buccaneers – Connacht)
9.  Kieran Marmion (Kirkham GS – Exiles) 
1. Tadhg Furlong (New Ross – Leinster)
2. John Sutton (New Ross – Leinster)
3. Luke Murphy Wooldridge (St. Olave’s School – Exiles)
4. Connor Smyth (Coleraine – Ulster) 
5. Michael Kearney (Clontarf – Leinster) 
6. Dominic Gallagher (Lisburn – Ulster)
7. Callum Burke (London Wasps/Hampton School – Exiles) 
8. Eoin McKeown (Galwegians – Connacht)

Replacements:

16. Eddie Downes (Wicklow – Leinster)
17. Jake Considine (Young Munster – Munster)
18. Jonathan Murphy (Banbridge – Ulster)
19. Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers – Connacht)
20. Aaron Conneely  (Corinthians – Connacht)
21. Rory Cunningham (Galwegians – Connacht)
22. Mark Dolan (Buccaneers – Connacht)
23. Grant Connon (Austin Friars St. Monicas’ – Exiles)
24. Nathan McDonald (Worcester Warriors – Exiles)
25. Luke O’Keefe (London Wasps – Exiles)
26. Robbie Holt (Edenderry – Leinster)