National Representation

There is a full line up of action taking place this evening ahead of Ireland’s 6 Nations game against England tomorrow, as players from around Munster gain National honours in their respective competitions.

So who is involved where?……………

AIB Club International – Ireland Club XV v England Counties
Donnybrook, ko 5pm

The Ireland Club XV return to action after last year’s thrilling win against Scotland when they take on England counties this evening in Dublin.  Seven Munster senior clubs are represented in the match 22, with four players previously capped at Club International level. 

There is a strong Munster connection in the management also, with Cork Con’s Brian Walsh as head coach, assisted by UCC’s Brian Hyland and Shannon’s Donal Brennan as manager. 

There was one last minute change to the side due to illness with Clontarf’s Niall O’Brien now coming in for the UCD’s Killian Lett.

Ireland Club XV: Ed Torrie (UL Bohs), Cronan Healy (Cork Con)*, Darragh Fitzpatrick (Blackrock College), Philip Brophy (St. Mary’s College), Derek Corcoran (Young Munster), Barry Keeshan (Dolphin)*, Ruairi Cushion (Old Belvedere), Marin Gately (Highfield)*, Brett McNamee (Dungannon), Kevin Moran (Buccaneers), Alan Maher (Lansdowne)*, Marc Warburton (Old Wesley), Kevin Croke (UCD), Barry O’Mahony (Dolphin), Hugh Hogan (St. Mary’s College)*Capt.
Replacements: Robert Quinn (Lansdowne), Colum Murphy (Lansdowne), Alex Dunlop (Terenure College), Ron Boucher (Lansdowne), Sam Cronin (UCC)*, Niall O’Brien (Clontarf), Tadgh Bennett (Shannon)

Ireland U20 v England U20
Dubarry Park, ko 6.15pm

It’s a top of the table clash in the U20’s Six Nations, as Ireland and England go head to head in Athlone.  In the campaign so far England have recorded wins against Italy and Wales while Ireland had closer wins over France and Italy. 

The young side will be hoping that home advantage will stand to them tonight, and more than anyone head coach Alan Clarke knows that “the game against England will test how far we have progressed as a squad.  Preparation has gone well and the mood in the camp is very good.  We are aware of the challenge ahead and the level of performance required.”

Ireland U-20: D Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster); R O’Mahony (Garryowen/ Munster), I McKinley (UCD/Leinster), E Sheridan (Lansdowne/Leinster), M Keating (Clontarf/ Leinster); I Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster), M Healy (Lansdowne/Leinster); P McAllister (Ballynahinch/Ulster), T Sexton (Old Belvedere/ Leinster), J McGrath (St Mary’s College/Leinster); C Ruddock (Neath/Exiles), J Sandford (Queens University/Ulster); R Ruddock (Millfield School/ Exiles), D Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster), P O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) Capt.

Replacements: D McGregor (Ballynahinch/Ulster), J O’Connell (Lansdowne/Leinster), M Flanagan (UCD/Leinster), M Noone (Seapoint/Leinster), C Murray (Garryowen/Munster), S Gahan (Lansdowne/ Leinster), G Foley (Blackrock College/Leinster).

England U-20: G Tonks (Leicester Tigers); S Stegmann (Harlequins), G Lowe (Harlequins), T Casson (Saracens), W Hurrell (Leicester Tigers); R Clegg (Newcastle Falcons), D White (Leeds Carnegie); B Moon (Exeter Chiefs), J George (Saracens), S Knight (Gloucester Rugby); J Gaskell (Sale Sharks), P Elder (London Wasps); J Ovens (Bath Rugby), C Clark (Leeds Carnegie, Capt), C York (Harlequins).
Replacements: A Ellis (London Wasps), B Baker (London Wasps), C Fearns (Sale Sharks), T Sargeant (Harlequins), S Harrison (Leicester Tigers), F Burns (Gloucester Rugby), J Short (Saracens).

Ireland Women v England Women
St.  Mary’s RFC, ko 6.30pm

Another great game in store for the women as they also contend for top honours in the Women’s RBS 6 Nations when they take on reigning champions England this evening in Terenure.  From a Munster perspective there is one change to the starting line up with outhalf Niamh Briggs (Clonmel) moving into the fullback position.   Captain Joy Neville (UL Bohs) will be hoping to build on Ireland’s previous encounter with England before Christmas when they were defeated 19-8 in the final quarter. 

Ireland Women: Niamh Briggs (Clonmel/Munster), Grace Davitt (Blackrock/Leinster), Lynne Cantwell (UL Bohemians/Munster), Helen Brosnon (Highfield/Munster), Amy Davis (Blackrock/Ulster), Joanne O’Sullivan (Richmond/Ulster), Tania Rosser (Blackrock/Leinster), Fiona Coughlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster), Yvonne Nolan (Blackrock/Leinster), Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster), Caroline Mahon (UL Bohemians/Leinster), Orla Brennan (Blackrock/Leinster), Louise Austin (Blackrock/Leinster), Sinead Ryan (Blackrock/Leinster), Joy Neville (UL Bohemians/Munster) Capt.

Relacements:  Jess Limbert (Cooke/Ulster), Emer McManamly (Blackrock/Leinster), Kate O’Loughlin (Clonmel/Munster), Debbie Clarke (Blackrock/Leinster), Louise Beamish (UL Bohemians/Munster), Shannon Houston (Blackrock/Leinster), Jeannette Feighery (UL Bohemians/Munster)

Ireland Colleges v England Colleges
City of Derry RFC, ko 7.30pm

The Irish Colleges will be looking for their first win tonight against the England Colleges side, as they were recently defeated by the French students, 18-3.  Both Dolphin and UL Bohemians have representatives involved in the Irish Colleges squad.  Centre Kevin Lynch (Dolphin) is in college in Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa, Cork whilst UL Bohs players Mike Storey and Batt Duggan represent UL and the Garda College respectively.  

Irish Colleges Squad Forwards: Mike Storey (UL/ULBohemians), Rob Sweeney (SBS/St Mary’s), Mark Hamilton (DIT/Terenure), Cian Culleton (Sallynoggin FE/Blackrock), Batt Duggan (Garda Colllege/UL Bohs), Robin Copeland (DBS/St.Marys) , Ben Reilly (DCU/Suttonians) ,David Houston (PSNI/City of Derry),John Downey (Sallynoggin FE/Greystones),John Dever (Garda College/Terenure College) ,Andrew Kerr (UUJ/Rainey),Eoghan Nihill (Blackhall PLC/Wanderers)
Backs: Sean Treacy (DCU/Clontarf),  Andrew Semple (UUJ/City of Derry) , Brian Collins (IT Blanchardstown/Old Belveder), Mark O’Connor (UUJ/City of Derry),  Sean Joyce (NUIG/Connemara),Lorcan Kavanagh (DCU/Lansdowne), Kevin Lynch (CSN/Dolphin), Craig Morrin (ITTallaght/St.Marys College),Daragh Fanning (IT Tallagh/St Mary’s),Mark Geraghty (DCU/Greystones) ,Paul Harte (Athlone IT/Buccaneers)