O’Reilly Fit For South African Showdown

Blackrock College captain Darren O’Reilly has recovered from an elbow injury to take his place in the Ireland Under-19 side for today’s IRB World Cup clash with hosts South Africa in Pietermaritzburg.

IRB Under-19 World Cup: Tuesday, April 5
South Africa U-19 v Ireland U-19, Woodburn Stadium

The former Ireland Schools number 8 had been taken to hospital to get a blow – sustained in Friday’s 16-0 defeat of Georgia U-19 – checked out.

Coach Pat Murray has made just one change from the side which garnered that opening win, with UCC lock Fergal Walsh coming in for Lansdowne’s Devon Toner.

Walsh – who replaced Toner after an hour against the Georgians – fittingly celebrated his nineteenth birthday with his team mates yesterday. His involvement brings the number of UCC starters to three – with right wing Eric Moloney, Ireland’s try scorer last week, amongst them.

Hosts South Africa had made 12 changes to the side which trounced Argentina 62-18 on the tournament’s opening day. With Pieter Myburgh – whose older namesake was an import to Connacht this season – starting at blindside flanker.

South Africa U-19: Gqobo Andisa; Jerome Williams, Jowayne van Niekerk, Francois Steyn, Randall April; Ricardo Croy, Marlon Lewis; Zander de Kock, Dion Fourie, Jan Volschenk, Hendrik van Niekerk, Alistair Hargreaves (Capt), Pieter Myburgh, Francois Uys, Yssl Swanepoel.
Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jakobus van Rensburg, JC Strauss, Johan Snyman, Richardt Strauss, Warren Malgas, Shandre Frolick, Jody Rose, Hilton Lobberts, Petrus Vermeulen, Luvuyo Mhlobiso.

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) Fergal Walsh (UCC)
(6) Diarmuid Laffen (Dublin University)
(7) Barry O’Mahony (Crescent College Comprehensive)
(8) Darren O’Reilly (Blackrock College)

Replacements:

(16) Conor Muldoon (Galwegians)
Coach: Pat Murray
Assistant Coach: Bryan Hyland
Manager: Michael Cunningham

Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)

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Ireland Result/fixtures: (kick-offs, Irish time)

Friday, April 1: Ireland U-19 16 Georgia U-19 0, Kings Park (3)

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