Lansdowne hooker Bobby Sheehan is pictured training with the Ireland Club XV squad at the IRFU High Performance Centre last March ©INPHO/Ben Brady
Ahead of their match against Scotland Clubs at Energia Park next month, the Ireland Club XV training squad (sponsored by Energia) has been announced.
Having played Portugal ‘A’ in each of the last two seasons, the Ireland Club XV now return to play against the same team they faced in the inaugural Club international fixture almost 20 years ago.
The Ireland Club XV squad includes some of the most exciting players from the Energia All-Ireland League, and will compete for the Dalriada Cup. It was was last played for, and won by the Ireland Club side, in 2020 when Young Munster’s Alan Kennedy was captain.
The Ireland Club XV will face Scotland Clubs at Energia Park on Friday, February 13, with a 6pm kick-off. The match will be live streamed on Irish Rugby’s streaming platform, irishrugby+.
Head coach Adam Craig has selected a 28-player training squad, with players drawn from 10 clubs across Divisions 1A and 1B of the Energia All-Ireland League.
The squad includes some of the most in-form players in the league at present, with 13 players having aslso played against Portugal ‘A’ last season. Last year’s successful captain, Cork Constitution back rower Jack Kelleher, is one of them.
The Ireland Club XV group will assemble for two training camps at the IRFU High Performance Centre, on January 18 and February 1, as preparations continue for the eagerly-awaited encounter with Scotland Clubs.
Looking forward to renewing his role with the Ireland Club XV squad, Ballynahinch clubman Craig commented:
I am honoured to be back coaching the Ireland Club XV this season and to once again work with a talented group of players drawn from across the Energia All-Ireland League. I’m excited to return to the role and to lead this group.
“The Club XV represents the very best of Irish club rugby, and we are looking forward to seeing that quality, commitment, and pride on show in the green jersey.
The Energia All-Ireland League is the heartbeat of the domestic game, producing outstanding players year after year, and it is a privilege for these players to represent their clubs, team-mates, and communities on the international stage.
“With Scotland’s leading club players coming to Energia Park, we are especially looking forward to testing ourselves on home soil and showcasing the strength of Irish club rugby.”
David Begley (Young Munster RFC)
Tadhg Bird (Clontarf FC)
Myles Carey (St. Mary’s College RFC)
Aran Egan (Terenure College RFC)
Sean French (Cork Constitution FC)
Fionn Gilbert (Clontarf FC)
Hubert Gilvarry (Young Munster RFC)
Marcus Hanan (Terenure College RFC)
Jack Kelleher (Cork Constitution FC)
Conor Kelly (Clontarf FC)
Adam La Grue (Terenure College RFC)
Tom Larke (Old Wesley RFC)
Bradley Luney (Ballynahinch RFC)
Adam Maher (Cork Constitution FC)
Luke Masters (Cork Constitution FC)
Jack Matthews (Lansdowne FC)
Will McDonald (Old Belvedere RFC)
Claytan Milligan (Ballynahinch RFC)
Tom O’Reilly (St. Mary’s College RFC)
Sam Owens (Clontarf FC)
Conor Rankin (Ballynahinch RFC)
Sean Rigney (Terenure College RFC)
Max Russell (Terenure College RFC)
Aaron Sexton (Ballynahinch RFC)
Bobby Sheehan (Lansdowne FC)
Adam Tuite (Terenure College RFC)
Ronan Watters (St. Mary’s College RFC)
David Whitten (Instonians RFC)
Head Coach: Adam Craig
Lineout Coach: Emmet MacMahon
Scrum & Defence Coach: Ger Slattery
Athletic Performance Coach: Mark Synnott
Video Analyst: Michael Harding
Physiotherapist: Patrick Gillman
Team Doctor: Billy Twomey
Team Manager: Mark Hamilton
Baggage Master: Matthew Irvine
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