British & Irish Lions
• British & Irish Lions tour Australia in 2013
Ireland Rugby
McKinley to captain U20s
The Irish U20 side is to take on Samoa in the IRB Toshiba Junior World Championship and the coaching staff today announced the members of the team. There are a number of changes to the team and this is likely due to the fact that the team lost by a narrow margin to Wales.
The team to face Samoa will have Ian McKinley as captain. He was a veritable hero during the clash against Wales, kicking no less than four penalties. He steps up to fill the shoes of Peter O’Mahony who is out due to injury. Other changes include the replacement of Ian Madigan at full back by David Kearney and Ronan O’Mahony is to take up the right wing position.
This game is the fight for the seventh position in the tournament and while there are some who might scoff at being at this level, the important issue is that these young players gain match experience. This is the future of Irish rugby and every minute they spend on the field playing competitive rugby is time well spent. The game will take place on Sunday and will be another chance for the young team to prove its mettle.
IRELAND UNDER-20 TEAM & REPLACEMENTS
15 – David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)
14 – Ronan O’Mahony (Garryowen/Munster)
13 – Danny Barnes (UCC/Munster)
12 – Eamonn Sheridan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 – Michael Keating (Clontarf/Leinster)
10 – Ian McKinley (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
9 – Matthew Healy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
1 – Jack McGrath (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
2 – Thomas Sexton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
3 – Adam Macklin (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
4 – Joe Moran (Galwegians/Connacht)
5 – Mark Flanagan (UCD/Leinster)
6 – David O’Callaghan (UCC/Munster)
7 – Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
8 – Rhys Ruddock (Millfield School/Exiles)
Replacements:
16 – David McGregor (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
17 – Paddy McAllister (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
18 – Jack O’Connell (Lansdowne/Leinster)
19 – Brian Hayes (CBC/Munster)
20 – Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
21 – Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
22 – Shane Gahan (Lansdowne/Leinster)