Youth Given Its Chance In ‘A’ Team

Ireland’s ‘A’ team will boast a backline with an average age of 25 at Donnybrook tonight, and senior coach Eddie O’Sullivan has welcomed that, in tandem with an experienced set of forwards.

Munster winger Anthony Horgan – at 28, and with four Test caps to his name – is the elder statesman of the backline, as a Michael Bradley-coached outfit line out for Ireland’s first ‘A’ international in two years, against France A (kick-off 7.00pm).

O’Sullivan said: “There are a lot of young guys out there whom we need to start looking at, and this game was set up for that. It would be an opportunity missed not to see these guys step up a level, and see how they go.

“There is quite a bit of inexperience in the side, especially in the backs. But there are a few hardened warriors – like (Alan) Quinlan in there too. And if we things aren’t working out we have plenty of experience on the bench to call on.”

The composite of the starting line-up sees eight Ulster players involved, with Leinster (3), Munster (2) and Connacht (1) sharing out the provincial scraps. London Irish lock Bob Casey is the only Exile involved.

The sole Connacht representative – hooker Bernard Jackman – will captain Bradley’s charges.

O’Sullivan added: “We don’t have to beat France, although it would be nice – it’s more about getting the information down the track.”

A INTERNATIONAL: Friday, March 11
Ireland A v France A, Donnybrook, 7.00pm

IRELAND A:

(15) Bryn Cunnigham (Ulster – Dungannon)
(14) Tommy Bowe (Ulster – Belfast Harlequins)
(13) Kieran Lewis (Leinster – St. Mary’s College)
(12) David Quinlan (Leinster – Blackrock College)
(11) Anthony Horgan (Munster – Cork Constitution)
(10) Paddy Wallace (Ulster – Ballymena)
(9) Kieran Campbell (Ulster – Dungannon)
(1) Ronan McCormack (Ulster – Buccaneers)
(2) Bernard Jackman (Connacht – Clontarf) (Captain)
(3) Simon Best (Ulster – Belfast Harlequins)
(4) Matt McCullough (Ulster – Ballymena)
(5) Bob Casey (London Irish)
(6) Alan Quinlan (Munster – Shannon)
(7) Shane Jennings (Leinster – St. Mary’s College)
(8) Roger Wilson (Ulster – Belfast Harlequins)

Replacements:

(16) Paul Shields (Ulster – Ballymena)
(17) Ray Hogan (Connacht – Galwegians)
(18) Ben Gissing (Leinster – Clontarf)
(19) David Wallace (Munster – Garryowen)
(20) Brian O’Riordan (Leinster – UCD)
(21) Paul Burke (Munster – Garryowen)
(22) Shaun Payne (Munster – Dolphin)

Not considered due to injury: Keith Gleeson (Leinster – St. Mary’s College), John O’Sullivan (Connacht – Garryowen), Leo Cullen (Leinster – Blackrock College), Neil McMillan (Ulster – Ballymena).

Coach: Michael Bradley
Assistant Coach: Allen Clarke
Manager: Joey Miles

France A: Jean-Baptiste Dambielle; Julien Arias, Jean-Frangois Coux, Guillaume Bousshs, Julien Candelon; Benjamin Boyet, Nicolas Durand (Capt); Vincent Debaty, Romain Terrain, Grigory Menkarska, Romain Millo-Chluski, Lionel Nallet, Jirtme Vallie, Pierre Rabadan, Mohammed Dridi.
Replacements: Pierre Capdevielle, Mathieu Blin, Julien Pierre, Romain Froment, Jean-Baptiste Pijoine, Pascal Bomati, Nicolas Laharrague.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Touch judges: Steve Leyshon, Peter Huckle (both England)