Four Munster-Based Players In Irish U19 Squad

Another milestone day for West Cork rugby this coming Saturday, as Bandon Grammar’s James French will take to the field alongside Skibbereen man David McCarthy as part of Kieran Campbell’s Irish U19 side who will take on Japan at Donnybrook.

Former Rockwell College captain Diarmuid Barron also starts at hooker for the game, which concludes Japan’s Ireland-wide tour that began at Thomond Park on the 15th March, where a Munster U19 Development squad defeated their Far Eastern opponents 17-7.

This marks the second time McCarthy will play the Japanese after that game, and will undoubtedly be a valuable source of information for the Irish boys ahead of the game in Dublin. From a Cork City perspective, Brian O’Connor continues a fantastic season by starting on the bench, having featured heavily in Presentation Brothers College’s recent Munster Schools Senior Cup triumph.

The Japanese got their first win of the tour four days later in Galway, where they overcame the Connacht U19s 24-10 at the Showgrounds, showing a far more dangerous side as they reached the halfway stage of the tour.

Tonight they will play their third game of the two-week trip to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries against Ulster at the CYIMS RFC in Belfast.

’60’ represents a significant anniversary in Japan, symbolising the completion of one life cycle and the start of another.

In addition to various diplomatic, political and trade meetings, there are some significant rugby milestones that will mark the relationship.

IRELAND U19 to play Japan – Donnybrook Stadium, Saturday 25^th March
15. Conor Wharton (Leeds Beckett University)
14. Mark Keane (Instonians RFC)
13. James Hume (RBAI)
12. David McCarthy (Garryowen RFC)
11. Peter Sullivan (St. Andrew’s College)
10. Michael Lowry (RBAI)
9. Hugh O’Sullivan (Belvedere College)

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

Replacements
16. Alexander Clarke (Ballymena Academy)
17. Jordan Duggan (Naas RFC)
18. Bryan O’Connor (Presentations Brothers Cork)
19. John McCusker (Rainey RFC)
20. Max Kearney (Belvedere College)
21. James Kenny (Gonzaga)
22.  Angus Curtis (Queen’s University RFC)
23. Corey Reid (Marist College)