Under-19 Side Named For World Cup Opener

With less than 24 hours to go to the IRB Under-19 World Cup kick-off in Durban, South Africa, Ireland have confirmed their starting line-up for their Division A opener against Georgia.

Coach Pat Murray has made seven changes to the Irish side which lost 37-6 to Wales in their final warm-up fixture earlier this month.

UCC utility back Eric Moloney comes in for Robert Boles on the right win, with Portadown’s Dale Black getting the nod on the left flank.

Exiles props Callum Black and Brendan Lynch replace Munster pair Gary Walsh and Kevin Griffin up front, while UCC’s Fergal Walsh has made way in the second row from the ample 6ft 10in frame of Lansdowne’s Devon Toner.

In the back row, Blackrock captain Darren O’Reilly replaces withdrawn Ard Scoil Ris star David Sherry (leg), while another of the Munster Academy – Barry O’Mahony – earns a flanker spot ahead of Daniel Dawson (Cooke).

Murray confirmed: “We had an encouraging training camp last week in Athlone and the players are really looking forward to getting the tournament underway tomorrow.

“We found our feet this season in the defeats against England (47-6) and Wales – so I’m happy with the progress we’ve made in the last month or so. It promises to be a great experience for the whole squad.”

The Irish will look to talismanic captain and goal-kicker Robert Kearney – who scored his side’s only points in their two 2005 fixtures – to lead their attack from full-back.

Buccaneers lock David McGowan is Ireland’s only returning player from last year’s tournament.

IRB Under-19 World Cup: Friday, April 1
Ireland U-19 v Georgia U-19, Kings Park (pitch 3), 1.45pm (Irish time)

IRELAND U-19:

(15) Robert Kearney (UCD) (Capt)
(14) Eric Moloney (UCC)
(13) Fergus McFadden (Clongowes)
(12) Darren Cave (Sullivan Upper School)
(11) Dale Black (Portadown)
(10) Evan Ryan (UCC)
(9) Matthew D’Arcy (Dublin University)
(1) Callum Black (Hartpury)
(2) Gavin O’Meara (Lansdowne)
(3) Brendan Lynch (Rotherham Titans)
(4) David McGowan (Buccanneers)
(5) Devon Toner (Lansdowne)
(6) Diarmuid Laffen (Dublin University)
(7) Barry O’Mahony (Crescent College Comprehensive)
(8) Darren O’Reilly (Blackrock College)

Replacements:

(16) Conor Muldoon (Galwegians)
(17) Gary Walsh (UL Bohemians)
(18) Kevin Griffin (Shannon)
(19) Adrian Saunderson (Ballyclare)
(20) Greg Cooney (Old Belvedere)
(21) Killian Lett (UCD)
(22) Robert Boles (Colstons Collegiate School)
(23) Frank Daly (Thomond)
(24) Kieran Moloney (Blackrock College RFC)
(25) Fergal Walsh (UCC)
(26) Daniel Dawson (Cooke)

Coach: Pat Murray
Assistant Coach: Bryan Hyland
Manager: Michael Cunningham

Georgia U-19: David Gurgenidze; Mamuka Ninidze, Giorgi Mchedlishvili, Irakli Chkhikvadze, Dimitri Meskhishvili; Charles-Edouard Yachvili, Giorgi Begadze; Beka Sheklashvili, Giorgi Soselia, Davit Kubriashvili, David Daushvili, Iraki Daushvili, Simon Maisuradze (Capt), Lasha Tavartkiladze, Galaktion Gagnidze.
Replacements: Otar Turashvili, Anton Peikrishvili, Beka Mekokishvili, Levan Daraselia, Alexander Maglakelidze, Luka Kilasonia, Levan Khukhunaishvili, Villiam Kaifadjian, Alexander Todua, Irakli Gegenava, Giogi Sadzaglishvili.

Referee: James Jones (Wales)

Other Ireland fixtures: (kick-offs, Irish time)

Tuesday, April 5: South Africa U-19 v Ireland U-19, Woodburn, 2.30pm

Saturday, April 9: Ireland U-19 v Australia U-19, ABSA Stadium, 1.45pm

Division A: (1), New Zealand, (2) France, (3) South Africa, (4) England, (5) Wales, (6) Australia, (7) Ireland, (8) Japan, (9) Scotland, (10) Argentina, (11) Georgia, (12) Romania

Division B: (1) Italy, (2) Uruguay, (3) Chile, (4) Namibia, (5) Tonga, (6) Russia, (7) Samoa, (8) USA, (9) Spain, (10) Korea, (11) Zimbabwe, (12) Paraguay