Four Changes For Ireland Under-21s

…Shannon hooker Sean Cronin…

Shannon hooker Sean Cronin has come in as one of four changes to the Ireland Under-21 team to take on Argentina in the IRB U-21 World Championship on Tuesday afternoon.

Cronin, man-of-the-match for Shannon in last month’s AIB League Division One final, replaces captain Stuart Philpott in the line-up. Talented Queen’s flanker David Pollock, who skippered Ireland during the IRB U-19 World Championship in Dubai in April, will lead Ireland against the Pumas.

Pollock was outstanding in Friday’s 26-8 loss at the hands of hosts France. He only turned 19 in March.

The other changes see Ian Hanly of UL Bohemians start on the right wing ahead of Peter Durcan, Conan Doyle makes way for UCD’s Fergus McFadden at inside centre and Blackrock back row Diarmuid Laffan comes in for the injured Ross Noonan at number 6.

Noonan unfortunately injured his hamstring against France and his place in the squad has gone to his UCC team mate Michael Essex, who missed out on the initial tournament selection.

UCC back row Billy Holland and St. Mary’s College out-half Jonathan Sexton are new inclusions on the replacements bench.

Commenting on tomorrow’s clash, Irish team manager Niall O’Shea said: “This is a crucial game for us. It’s going to be tough up front against a formidable Argentinean pack, but if the players can stick to Mark McDermott’s gameplan, we would hope to get the right result on the night.

“The players are keyed up for this and are looking to bounce back with their first win of the tournament.”

IRELAND U-21 TEAM AND REPLACEMENTS (v Argentina U-21, Stade Couturier, Cournon d’Auvergne, 4.00pm, Tuesday, June 13):

15 – Fionn Carr (Blackrock College RFC)
14 – Ian Hanly (UL Bohemians)
13 – Tom Gleeson (Cork Constitution)
12 – Fergus McFadden (UCD)
11 – Matthew Williams (Bristol)
10 – Kieran Hallett (Bedford Blues)
9 – Paul Marshall (Ballynahinch)
1 – Darragh Hurley (UCC)
2 – Sean Cronin (Shannon)
3 – Dave Ryan (Highfield)
4 – David McGowan (Buccaneers)
5 – Devin Toner (Lansdowne)
6 – Diarmuid Laffan (Blackrock College RFC)
7 – David Pollock (Queen’s University) (capt)
8 – Sean O’Brien (UCD)

Replacements:

16 – Stuart Philpott (Belfast Harlequins)
17 – Paul Doran Jones (Dublin University)
18 – Daniel Tuohy (Hartpury College/Gloucester)
19 – Billy Holland (UCC)
20 – Duncan Williams (UCC)
21 – Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College)
22 – Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins)

Management:

Coach – Mark McDermott
Manager – Niall O’Shea
Asst. Coach – Nigel Carolan
Doctor – Eanna Falvey
Physio – Tara O’Meara
Masseur – Regina O’Flanagan
Fitness Advisor – Steve Richards
HPU Analyst – Kurt McQuilkin
Baggage Master – Jack Kiely

IRB UNDER-21 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP – IRELAND RESULTS/FIXTURES:

Friday, June 9:

France U-21 26 IRELAND U-21 8, Issoire

Tuesday, June 13:

IRELAND U-21 v Argentina U-21, Cournon d’Auvergne, kick-off 5.00pm (4.00pm Irish time)

Saturday, June 17:

IRELAND U-21 v Georgia U-21, Issoire, 4.00pm (3.00pm)

Wednesday, June 21:

Matchday 4 – tbc

Sunday, June 25:

Matchday 5 – tbc