Ireland U-18 Clubs Team Named For Semi-Final

The Ireland U-18 Clubs XV face Georgia in the Casale Sul Sile Stadium in Treviso on Wednesday night.

The winners will face either France or Belgium in the final on Saturday, with the losing side taking part in a 3rd-4th place play-off.

In keeping with the ethos of the tournament and with an eye on a third final in four years, the Ireland U-18 Clubs team management have made a number of changes to the side that defeated Germany 20-11 in the opening game.

In the front row, Kieran Ball and Jonathan Murphy will start alongside team captain Tadhg Furlong.

Conor Kindregan and Alan O’Connor will again anchor the second row, with Charles Gallagher, Conor Clancy and Eoghan Masterson combining in the back row.

Kieran Marmion and Grant Connon, who scored a second half try against Germany, are set to form the half-back partnership.

Carlow’s Thomas Daly and Michael Sherlock of Skerries will combine in the centre, while Callum Boland will start at full-back. Joe Keane and Ferdia Kenny complete the back-three.

IRELAND UNDER-18 CLUBS Team & Replacements (v Georgia Under-18s, FIRA-AER U-18 European Championship Group A semi-final, Casale Sul Sile Stadium, Treviso, Wednesday, March 31, kick-off 8pm local time (7pm Irish time)):

15. Callum Boland (Buccaneers – Connacht)
14. Ferdia Kenny (Presentation Bray/Greystones – Leinster)
13. Michael Sherlock (Skerries – Leinster)
12. Thomas Daly (Carlow – Leinster)
11. Joe Keane (UL Bohemians – Connacht)
10. Grant Connon (Newcastle Falcons – Exiles)
9. Kieran Marmion (Kirkham GS – Exiles)
1. Kieran Ball (Wellington College/Saracens – Exiles)
2. Jonathan Murphy (Banbridge – Ulster)
3. Tadhg Furlong (New Ross – Leinster) (capt)
4. Conor Kindregan (Monivea – Connacht)
5. Alan O’Connor (Skerries – Leinster)
6. Charles Gallagher (Banbridge – Ulster)
7. Conor Clancy (Stoneyhurst College/London Irish – Exiles)
8. Eoghan Masterson (Portlaoise – Leinster)

Replacements:

16. Tom Margetson (Wellington College – Exiles)
17. Jake Considine (Young Munster – Munster)
18. Christopher Tonge (Skerries – Leinster)
19. Daniel Mannion (Wicklow – Leinster)
20. Conor Ryan (Navan – Leinster)
21. Akhlaque Khan (Navan – Leinster)
22. Jack Walsh (London Wasps – Exiles)
23. Jack Carty (Buccaneers – Connacht)
24. Christopher Farrell (Clogher Valley – Ulster)
25. Shane Layden (Cistercian Coll. Roscrea – Connacht)
26. Cian McGovern (Crosshaven – Munster)

Related Links –

IrishRugby.ie U-18 Clubs Tournament Page