Ireland U-18 Schools Team Announced For Six Nations Festival Opener

Following a 39-20 loss to France at Templeville Road last Saturday, the Irish U-18 Schools management have made three personnel changes to the starting pack while retaining the same back-line.

Prop Thomas Clarkson, who won the Leinster Schools Senior Cup with Blackrock College seven days ago, comes in at tighthead alongside Ireland captain John McKee, who enjoyed Schools Cup success with his own Campbell College, and Belfast Royal Academy hooker Tom Stewart.

Cian Hurley from CBC Cork joins St. Augustine’s, Dungarvan lock Tom Ahern, one of Ireland’s best performers against the French, in the second row, while the introduction of RBAI’s David McCann at number 8 sees PBC Cork’s Alex Kendellen – the scorer of Ireland’s two tries against France – switch to blindside flanker.

Clarkson’s Blackrock team-mate, lock Sean O’Brien, has been added to the Irish bench along with Newbridge College captain Cian Prendergast, who skippered the Ireland U-18 Clubs & Schools side to a 56-17 victory over Canada U-19s last weekend.

The Under-18s from Ireland, England, Scotland, France and Italy join hosts Wales in an Easter rugby bonanza that will see all six teams play on three match days – tomorrow at the Centre of Excellence in Ystrad Mynach, next Wednesday at Cardiff Arms Park, and the following Sunday at Cardiff Arms Park.

After facing Italy, Peter Smyth’s charges will take on Wales and Scotland over the concluding rounds. Tickets for each match day are £5 for adults, Under-16s go free (maximum two free tickets per paying adult). Tickets for Saturday are on sale now at Ystrad Mynach CSE and by calling 01443 864767. Tickets for match days 2 and 3 will only be available on the gate on match day.

IRELAND UNDER-18 SCHOOLS Team & Replacements (v Italy Under-18s, Under-18 Six Nations Festival, Centre of Excellence, Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly, Saturday, March 31, kick-off 5pm):

15. Max O’Reilly (St. Gerard’s School) 
14. Andrew Smith (St. Michael’s College) 
13. Karl Martin (St. Mary’s School, Drogheda) 
12. Angus Adair (RBAI) 
11. Aaron Sexton (Bangor GS) 
10. Paddy McKenzie (East Glendalough School)
9. Nathan Doak (Wallace HS)
1. John McKee (Campbell College) (capt) 
2. Tom Stewart (Belfast Royal Academy)
3. Tom Clarkson (Blackrock College) 
4. Cian Hurley (CBC Cork)
5. Tom Ahern (St. Augustine’s, Dungarvan)
6. Alex Kendellen (PBC Cork) 
7. Ryan O’Neill (RS Armagh)
8. David McCann (RBAI)
               
Replacements:

16. Padraig McCarthy (Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai)
17. Connor Morrissey (Mayfield CS)
18. Charlie Ward (Tullow Community School) 
19. Sean O’Brien (Blackrock College)
20. Conor McMenamin (Colaiste Ailigh) 
21. Cian Prendergast (Newbridge College) 
22. Anthony Ryan (Clongowes Wood College) 
23. Ben Murphy (Presentation College Bray) 
24. Dylan Prendergast (Sancta Maria College) 
25. Ben Power (Campbell College)
26. Chris Cosgrave (St. Michael’s College)

IRELAND UNDER-18 SCHOOLS FIXTURES/RESULTS:

IRELAND U-18 SCHOOLS 20 FRANCE U-18s 39
Saturday, March 24, Templeville Road

IRELAND U-18 SCHOOLS v ITALY U-18s
Saturday, March 31, 5pm, Centre of Excellence, Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly

IRELAND U-18 SCHOOLS v WALES U-18s
Wednesday, April 4, 2.30pm, Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff

IRELAND U-18 SCHOOLS v SCOTLAND U-18s
Sunday, April 8, 12pm, Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff