The Ireland Schools selectors have named a 26-strong squad to take on Japan U-19s this weekend and also to represent Ireland at the Six Nations U18 tournament to take place in Glasgow from 8–14 April.
A team will be selected from this squad for the game against Japan, which takes place at St Mary's College RFC, Templeville Road at 2.30pm on Saturday, 31 March.
The game will be part of the build-up to the traditional U-18 schools tournament, which will see Ireland take on Italy U-18 in their opening game followed by matches against France and England over the Easter period.
The team will be captained by James Sandford of Royal School Armagh.
The Ireland U-18 Schools squad is as follows:
Forwards (14):
Alex Byrne (St Michael's College)
Peter Kelleher (PBC Cork)
Nermin Lovic (Belvedere College)
Adam Macklin (Methodist College)
Stephen Mahony (St Michael's College)
Patrick McAllister (RS Armagh)
Patrick McGowan (Ballymena Academy)
Kyle O'Dwyer (CBC Cork)
Brian O'Hara (PBC Cork)
Peter O'Mahony (PBC Cork)
Felix Ross (King's Hospital)
James Ryan (Rockwell College)
James Sandford (RS Armagh) Captain
Thomas Sexton (Belvedere College)
Backs (12):
Ricky Andrew (Ballymena Academy)
Mark Atkinson (Grosvenor GS)
Sam Bell (Methodist College)
Andrew Burke (Crescent College)
Gary Foley (CBC Monkstown)
Shane Gahan (Gonzaga College)
Robert Johnston (Blackrock College)
David Kearney (Clongowes Wood College)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College)
Chris Nolan (CBC Cork)
Ronan O'Mahony (Castletroy College)
Richard Reaney (RS Armagh)
Management:
Lorcan Balfe (Manager)
Peter Melia (Coach)
Paul Barr (Asst Coach)
Ossie Fogarty (Doctor)
David Lyons (Physiotherapist)
Ireland Schools Fixtures:
Ireland Schools v Japan U-19, 31/03/07, St Mary's RFC, Templeville Rd. K-O 2.30p.m.
Italy U-18 v Ireland U-18 Schools, 8/04/07, (Old Anniesland) Glasgow Hawks. K-O 3.00p.m.
France U-18 v Ireland U-18 Schools, 11/04/07 (Old Anniesland) Glasgow Hawks. K-O 7.30p.m
England U-18 v Ireland U-18 Schools, 14/04/07 (Burnbrae) West of Scotland. K-O 1.00 p.m.
