Ireland Under-18 Schools Squad Chosen For French Clash

The game against France’s Schoolboy Under-18s (Temple Hill, kick-off 7pm) is seen as vital preparation for the Peter Melia-coached Ireland squad as they gear up for the 2008 U-18 Six Nations Festival which is being staged in Cork over the Easter period.

The Irish squad, which includes 26 players, will train in Dublin on December 15-16 in preparation for the game against France.

The squad will be coached by Peter Melia, who will be assisted by Paul Barr. The panel will be managed by Lorcan Balfe.

IRELAND UNDER-18 SCHOOLS’ 2008 SIX NATIONS FESTIVAL FIXTURES:

Wednesday, March 26 – Ireland U-18s v Wales U-18s,  Cork (venue tbc)

Saturday, March 29 – Ireland U-18s v Scotland U-18s, Cork (venue tbc)

Tuesday, April 1 – Ireland U-18s v Italy U-18s, Cork (venue tbc)

IRELAND UNDER-18 SCHOOLS SQUAD (v France):

BACKS (12) –

Michael Allen (Methodist College)
Mark Atkinson (Grosvenor GS)
Jason Bloomfield (Coleraine AI)
Michael Kelliher (St. Munchin’s College)
Luke Marshall (Ballymena Academy)
Diarmuid McCarthy (Castletroy College)
James McKinney (Campbell College)
David McSharry (Templelogue College)
Gavin Nugent (PBC Cork)
David O’Driscoll (PBC Cork)
Nevin Spence (Wallace HS)
Simon Zebo (PBC Cork)

FORWARDS (14) –

Niall Annett (Methodist College)
Dennis Buckley (Blackrock College)
Ger Burke (St. Munchin’s College)
Patrick Butler (Rockwell College)
Brian Cagney (PBC Cork)
Brian Hayes (CBC Cork)
Ben Marshall (St. Andrew’s College)
Blair Nangle (Belfast Royal Academy)
David O’Callaghan (Midleton College)
Jack O’Connell (Clongowes Wood College)
Brian O’Hara (PBC Cork)
Robin O’Sullivan (PBC Bray)
Jonathan Simpson (Banbridge Academy)
Angus Warwicker (Coleraine AI)