The Christmas period will be one of preparation and training for many of Munster top young rugby players, with both the Irish U19 and Irish U18 School squads taking part in squad sessions and friendly games in the coming weeks.

Irish Schools U18 trials are due to take place on Saturday 17^th December in Blackrock College in Dublin, with eleven Munster players invited for trials. The squad will then take part in a number of training sessions. The squad will travel to Toulon on April 8^th to play France before the Four Nations Tournament kicks off on April 15^th in Gloucester. First up is England on April 15^th, followed by Wales on April 18^th and Scotland on April 21^st.

The Munster based players include: Scott Deasy, PBC Cork; Kieran Essex, CBC Cork; Stephen Archer, CBC Cork; Ronan O Mahony, Castletroy College; Eamonn Broderick, St. Munchin s College; Ian Nagle, Glenstal Abbey School; David Kilcoyne, Ard Scoil Ris; Stephen O Dwyer; Rockwell College; Ken Hanley, Crescent College Comprehensive; Sean Scanlon, Crescent College Comprehensive; Diarmuid Upton, Crescent College Comprehensive

Last weekend, the Irish U19 s had a squad session in Dublin, with the top players in Ireland s club and schools rugby combining for the first time at this age level to form a single U19 national team. Munster Rugby Academy members currently involved in these squad sessions include Munster Rugby Academy members Keith Earls (St. Munchin s College & Munster Schools U19 s) and Tommy O Donnell (Clanwilliam & Munster Youth U19 s), as well as Robaird Wilmott (Bandon & Munster U19 Clubs), Tim Kenneally (PBC & Munster ), Richard MacCarthy (PBC & Munster), Gerard Slattery (St. Munchin s College & Munster), Paul Rowley (St. Munchin s College & Munster) and Shane O Sullivan (CBC & Munster).

Coming up next Wednesday, December 14^th, a Munster U19 combined club and school selection will play Australia in Dooradoyle at 2pm

In other news, Munster Rugby Academy member Dave Sherry has been called up to the Irish U21 squad