Four Changes Made To Ireland Club XV
Head coach Paul Cunningham has announced the Ireland Club XV to face Scotland in Friday’s Ulster Bank Club international clash at Temple Hill in Cork (kick-off 7.30pm).
The Ulster Bank League players were victorious in their last outing when they defeated France Fédérale 16-12 in Massy last month.
Clontarf centre Matt D’Arcy will captain the side for the fourth time. He again forms the centre partnership with UCD skipper Stephen Murphy.
The back-three is made up of Old Belvedere full-back Daniel Riordan and Lansdowne’s Mark Roche and James McInerney of Garryowen on the wings.
Lansdowne ace Scott Deasy, who kicked 11 points in that victory in France, resumes his role at out-half and is partnered at half-back by Garryowen’s Neil Cronin, whose brother Sean was among Ireland’s try scorers against Italy last Saturday.
In the pack, Ian Prendiville of Lansdowne is joined by newly-introduced Cork Constitution duo Max Abbott and Ger Sweeney in the front row, with St. Mary’s lock Ciaran Ruddock, brother of senior international Rhys Ruddock, partnered by Lansdowne’s Philip Donnellan in the engine room.
Donnellan’s club-mate Charlie Butterworth is part of an unchanged back row alongside Ballynahinch’s Paul Pritchard and the Leinster-capped Tony Ryan (pictured above) from Clontarf.
The replacements are provided from five clubs – the front row cover sees props Declan Lavery (Old Belvedere) and Brian McGovern (St. Mary’s) joined by Dublin University hooker Patrick Finlay.
Ballymena’s Connor Smyth covers second row and his club-mate Rodger McBurney covers the outside backs. Dublin University provide half-back cover through Angus Lloyd and Jack McDermott. John Fitzgerald of Dolphin is the reserve back rower on the bench.
The players will wear their club socks in Friday’s game which will kick off at 7.30pm in Cork Con’s Temple Hill ground.
Tickets Availble
Munster Rugby Ticket Offices at Irish Independent Park and Thomond Park.
Ticketmaster , Merchants Quay , Cork
Finns Corner On the corner of Grand Parade & Washington Street.
At the gate and are priced at €;10 for adults and €;5 for children.
IRELAND CLUB INTERNATIONAL Team & Replacements (v Scotland Clubs, 2016 Ulster Bank Club International Match, Temple Hill, Cork, Friday, March 18, kick-off 7.30pm):
15. Daniel Riordan (Old Belvedere)
14. James McInerney (Garryowen)
13. Stephen Murphy (UCD)
12. Matt D’Arcy (Clontarf) (capt)
11. Mark Roche (Lansdowne)
10. Scott Deasy (Lansdowne)
9. Neil Cronin (Garryowen)
1. Ian Prendiville (Lansdowne)
2. Max Abbott (Cork Constitution)
3. Ger Sweeney (Cork Constitution)
4. Ciaran Ruddock (St. Mary’s College)
5. Philip Donnellan (Lansdowne)
6. Charlie Butterworth (Lansdowne)
7. Paul Pritchard (Ballynahinch)
8. Tony Ryan (Clontarf)
Replacements:
16. Paddy Finlay (Dublin University)
17. Declan Lavery (Old Belvedere)
18. Brian McGovern (St. Mary’s College)
19. Connor Smyth (Ballymena)
20. John Fitzgerald (Dolphin)
21. Angus Lloyd (Dublin University)
22. Jack McDermott (Dublin University)
23. Rodger McBurney (Ballymena)