Ireland U19 Team

Ireland U19

14th February 2007

The Ireland U19 team, sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers, begins its preparations for this year's IRB U19 World Championship with a game against Wales in Stradey Park this Friday night.

The U19 World Championship, the third largest tournament in international rugby, kicks off in Belfast on April 4^th and will bring together the cream of young talent from around the world to Ireland.

Ireland U19 Coach Charlie McAleese said: "This year is a big one for Irish U19 rugby with the World Cup taking place in Belfast. All of the squad are keen to impress and stake their claim for a place in the squad for the tournament and this game against Wales gives them that opportunity".

"While we take great encouragement by the performances of the U20 side in the last two games of their 6 Nations Championship, Wales will again be tough opponents as they are always strong at this level.

The side will be captained by Paul Ryan of Blackrock College RFC.

The Ireland Under 19 team to play Wales Under 19 in Stradey Park, Llanelli, Wales on Friday, 16^th February 2007 at 19.15hrs is as follows:

Player Club/Province

15 - Adam Craig Instonians/Ulster/Ulster

14 - Chris Cochrane Coleraine Academical Institute/Ulster

13 - Jamie Smith Ballymena/Ulster

12 - Murray Kinsella Newtown School/Munster

11 - Niall Morris Blackrock College RFC/Leinster

10 - Eoin O'Malley UCD /Leinster

9 - Dave Moore Blackrock College RFC/Leinster

1 - Paul Karayiannis RBAI/Ulster

2 - Stephen Douglas Ballymena/Ulster