The Ireland squad for the IRB Under-19 World Championship, taking place in Belfast over April, was named today.
The Championships will take place from 4-21 April and Ireland's games will be held at Ravenhill.
The Ireland squad will be captained by Paul Ryan of Blackrock College RFC.
Ireland Coach Charlie McAleese said, ‘Playing at home as the hosts for the tournament was always an added incentive for many of the boys and the selection process has seen a large number of superb candidates whittled down to the final twenty six. As always, there are some disappointed players, but the selections were difficult in many of the positions for the final squad’.
‘The pressures of also playing as tournament hosts will be a big part of our challenge, as will the top class opponents we will be facing. It does not get much tougher then playing the defending champions in your opening game and Australia are always tremendously strong at this level’.
‘We will need to be at the very top of our game to be able to compete with all of our Pool A opponents over the next couple of weeks, but if we get off to a winning start it will set us up for the rest of the tournament’.
Paul Ryan, also expressed his delight at being named Captain, ‘It does not get much better then captaining Ireland at any level, but to be doing it as hosts in these World Championships makes it extra special’.
‘Playing at home will hopefully give the team an edge and we know that the famous Irish, and especially Ulster, support will give us a great reception during all of our games. Playing Southern hemisphere teams will be a new experience for the majority of the team and we know that they will be physical in all aspects of their play and we expect some really tough games in all our opening pool matches’.
‘The chance to play at home in such a great tournament is great opportunity for myself and the rest of the squad, so we are really looking forward to the start of the competition’.
The Ireland Under-19 Squad for the IRB Under-19 World Championship is as follows:
Forwards (14) Brian Cawley, Stephen Douglas, Kieran Essex, David Foley, Jason Harris-Wright, Paul Karayianis, Ian Leonard, Patrick Mallon, Patrick McCabe, Ian Nagle, Matthew Nelson, Rajan Riley, Paul Ryan (Captain), Michael Sherry.
Backs (12) Paddy Brophy, Conor Cleary, Adam Craig, Scott Deasy, Alan Gaughan, Kris Greene, Murray Kinsella, Niall Morris, Harry McAleese, Eoin O'Malley, Tommy Seymour, Jamie Smith.
Pool A – Ireland Fixtures
Australia v Ireland, Ravenhill, Belfast 05/04/2007, Kick off 7:30
Scotland v Ireland, Ravenhill, Belfast 09/04/2007, Kick off 7:30
South Africa v Ireland, Ravenhill, Belfast 13/04/2007, Kick off 7:30
