IRELAND UNDER-20 Squad (2010 RBS U-20 6 Nations Championship):

Backs (12) -

Andrew Conway (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
John Cooney (UCD/Leinster)*
Eoin Griffin (Corinthians/Connacht)
Michael Heaney (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Darren Hudson (St. Mary’s College RFC/Leinster)
Brian Kingston (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Brendan Macken (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
James McKinney (Queen’s University/Ulster)
David McSharry (UCD/Leinster)
Tiernan O’Halloran (Galwegians/Connacht)
Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch/Ulster)*
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Forwards (14) -

Niall Annett (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Denis Buckley (Corinthians/Connacht)
Patrick Butler (Shannon/Munster)
Bryan Cagney (UCC/Munster)
David Doyle (UCD/Leinster)
Brian Hayes (Cork Constitution/Munster)*
Stewart Maguire (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Ben Marshall (UCD/Leinster)
Jordi Murphy (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
Robin O’Sullivan (Bective Rangers/Leinster)
David O’Callaghan (UCC/Munster)*
Jack O’Connell (Lansdowne/Leinster)*
Rhys Ruddock (UCD/Leinster)*
Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)*

* Denotes previously capped player at Under-20 level

IRELAND UNDER-20s 10 ULSTER RAVENS 18, UCD

Scorers: Ireland U-20: Tries: Simon Zebo, John Cooney
Ulster Ravens: Tries: Penalty try, Craig Gilroy; Con: Paddy Robinson; Pens: Paddy Robinson 2

After a fairly even start the home side took the lead in the 23rd when Cork Constitution winger Simon Zebo swept across the line from a move that started in the Irish 22, Brian Kingston failed to convert. Shortly afterwards Ryan was sin-binned for infringements at the breakdown, allowing Ravens to pile on the pressure resulting in an unconverted penalty try just before half time.

Early play was scrappy in the second half, a penalty in the 51st put the Ravens ahead briefly before an excellent unconverted try by John Cooney, 10-8.

A disallowed try in the 59th by the Under-20s looked to put them ahead before one of the assistants flagged that a punch had been thrown in the ruck. The final quarter saw the Under-20s move the ball around more only for disaster to strike and Craig Gliroy intercepted on the half way to get a try under the posts, allowing an easy conversion for the Ravens. Ravens lead 15-10.

A final penalty by Robinson in the 73rd wrapped things up 18-10.

The management should take much from this game despite the loss, as a preparation for the Under 20s’ Six Nations campaign starting against Italy on Friday February 5th.

The under twenty Junior World Cup is widely regarded as the stomping ground of future champions. This is certainly true if one thinks about the fact that there are a number of Springboks that lifted the 2007 IRB World Cup trophy and have done the same at U23 and U19 level.

Just because the competition is for younger players does not mean that it is any less intense than the full blown region. The tournament is proving to be more popular with the rugby viewing public as more and more people have become aware of its existence. There is a great deal of interest in the tournament this year.

The Irish squad was named in mid May and there was great hope that this would be the team that would mirror the performance of the Irish team that won the Six Nations. The Irish were placed in pool A of the competition and faced opponents such as Uruguay, the unpredictable Argentina and the current champions New Zealand. It was clear that this was going to be a challenging tournament.

The team did well in the pool rounds of the competition against some tough competitors. But sadly they did not have what it took to get past the quarter final stages of the tournament. The Irish lost their game and were placed eighth for the Junior World Cup.

Backs (12):
Andrew Burke (Garryowen/Munster)
Shane Gahan (Lansdowne /Leinster)
Matthew Healy (Lansdowne/Munster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne/Munster)
Michael Keating (Clontarf/Leinster)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Ian McKinley (UCD/Leinster)
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
Ronan O’Mahony (Garryowen/Munster)
Eamonn Sheridan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jonny Shiels (QUB/Ulster)
Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch/Ulster)

Forwards (14):
Mark Flanagan (UCD/Leinster)
Adam Macklin (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Paddy McAllister (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Jack McGrath (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
David McGregor (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Michael Noone (Seapoint/Leinster)
David O’Callaghan (UCC/Munster)
Jack O’Connell (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Brian O’Hara (U.L. Bohemians/Munster)
Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) Captain
Rhys Ruddock (Millfield School/Exiles)
Ciaran Ruddock (Neath/Exiles)
Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Thomas Sexton (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

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)

Scorers: England: Tries: Seb Stegmann, Hugo Ellis, Luke Eves, Matt Cox, Noah Cato, Nathan Catt, Mark Odejobi; Cons: Alex Goode 4

Ireland: Try: David Kearney; Pens: Ian Madigan 3