Ireland U18 Schools Team v Scotland

The Ireland Under-18 Schools team, sponsored by PwC, has been announced ahead of their crucial game against Scotland Under-18s in Glasgow on Sunday.

The match is a qualifying game for the FIRA/AER U-18 European Championship, which takes place in the Armagnac-Bigorre region of France between 15 and 24 April 2011.

Cork players Rory Scannell, Ryan Murphy and Cian O'Halloran are all named in the starting XV. Both Scannell and Murphy recently represented their school's side PBC in the Avonmore Milk Schools Senior Cup Final.

The Ireland Under-18 Schools were defeated by England Schools in the first qualifying fixture back in December, so this game is important in deciding which section of the FIRA-AER tournament they qualify for.

Scotland beat England 26-21 in Leeds last weekend, so the Ireland side now need a bonus point win and to deny Scotland a bonus point to ensure qualification for the elite section.

Coach Terry McMaster knows that his team will have to put in a top performance to overcome a Scotland team that will be brimming with confidence after their win over England: “Scotland showed they are a team with plenty of talent by overcoming England on home soil, so it puts it into perspective as our lads need to deliver a performance against the Scots that is of the highest order. To put one over a strong England team in those circumstances demands respect.”

“In saying that, I think there is plenty of talent in our own side and while this is a new team coming up against a Scotland side that already has a game under their belt, our team has plenty of knowledge of each other in specific units, through playing together as part of their own schools teams, to knit quickly enough. The key is to deliver accuracy on their individual areas and the collective will look after itself.”

Ireland U18 Schools take on Scotland U18s in the FIRA-AER Championship Qualifier at Braidholm RFC, Glasgow on Sunday April 3rd, ko12pm.

Ireland U18 Schools Team:
15 – Jack Fitzpatrick (Gonzaga College)
14 – Conor McEllin (Blackrock College)
13 – Robert Henshaw (Marist Athlone)
12 – Chris Farrell (Campbell College)
11 – Cian O’Halloran (CBC Cork)
10 – Rory Scannell (PBC Cork)
9 – Luke McGrath (St Michael’s College) Captain
1 – Gordon Frayne (Clongowes Wood College)
2 – Bryan Byrne (Clongowes Wood College)
3 – Edward Byrne (Clongowes Wood College)
4 – Jerry Sexton (St. Mary’s College)
5 – Donogh Lawler (St. Michael’s College)
6 – Mark Best (Campbell College)
7 – Dan Leavy (St. Michael’s College)
8 – Ryan Murphy (PBC Cork)

Replacements:
16 – Andrew Murphy (St. Michael’s College)
17 – Thomas Ferrari (Sligo Grammar School)
18 – Chris Taylor (Wallace High School)
19 – Luke Satchwell (The King’s Hospital)
20 – Ben Alexander (RBAI)
21 – David Shanahan (Belvedere College)
22 – Stuart Olding (Belfast Royal Academy)
23 – Rory Scholes (Campbell College)

Ireland U-18 Schools Management Team:
Terry McMaster – Coach
Kenny Hooks – Assistant Coach
Paul Barr – Assistant Coach
Lorcan Balfe – Team Manager
Chris Shields – Strength & Conditioning Coach
Ozzie Fogarty – Team Doctor
David Lyons – Team Physio
Vinnie Hammond – Team Analyst
Jessica O'Brien – Team Co-ordinator