Munster Trio Named In Irish Starting XV

Munster players Diarmuid Barron and James French will make up the majority of the Irish U19 front-row, joined by West Cork’s David McCarthy in the backs as the Irish take on France in their first test this evening at Bordeaux (5.30 Irish time).

Garryowen’s Barron and McCarthy, and Bandon Grammar School’s French will start for Kieran Campbell’s side, while PBC pair Bryan O’Connor and Jack O’Sullivan will be primed and ready to come off the bench.

It marks a good day for Munster at international representative level, making a total of 14 players from the province selected on Irish squads at U18s and U19s, to add to the several already involved in Ireland’s U20’s squad earlier this year. Munster-men have also captained two Irish sides already this season through Calvin Nash (U20s) and Craig Casey (U18).

Sean Masterson will captain the side from Number 8, with flankers Aaron Hall and Jack Cooke completing the back-row.

Matt Dalton and Jack Dunne are named in the second-row, with Tom O’Toole completing the front-row with Barron and French.

In the backs, Hugh O’Sullivan starts at scrum-half, with Angus Curtis at number 10.

McCarthy and James Hume form the centre partnership and Mark Keane and Peter Sullivan line out on the wings and Michael Silvester is at full-back.

This evening’s game in the Stade Jules Ladoumègue in Lormont is the first of two matches between the sides, with the second fixture set for this Sunday in Stade Robert Brettes, Merignac, Bordeaux.

IRELAND UNDER-19 Side to face France U19  (France Tour, April 2017):

15. Michael Silvester (Dublin University)
14. Peter Sullivan (St. Andrew’s College)
13. James Hume (RBAI)
12. David McCarthy (Garryowen)
11. Mark Keane (Instonians)
10. Angus Curtis (Queen’s University)
9. Hugh O’Sullivan (Belvedere College)

1. James French (Bandon Grammar School)
2. Diarmuid Barron (Garryowen)
3. Tom O’Toole (Campbell College)
4. Matt Dalton (Belfast Royal Academy)
5. Jack Dunne (St. Michael’s College)
6. Jack Cooke (London Irish)
7. Aaron Hall (Ballynahinch)
8. Sean Masterson (Corinthians) Captain

Replacements
16. Alexander Clarke (Ballymena Academy)
17. Jordan Duggan (Naas)
18. Bryan O’Connor (PBC Cork)
19. John McCusker (Rainey Old Boys)
20. Max Kearney (Belvedere College)
21. James Kenny (Gonzaga College)
22. Michael Lowry (RBAI)
23. Conor Wharton (Leeds Beckett University)
24. Jack O’Sullivan (PBC Cork)
25. Corey Reid (Marist College)
26. Tom Roche (Blackrock College)