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Nigel Carolan names four uncapped players for Ireland's opening game of the World Rugby U20 Championship

Ireland U20 Head Coach Nigel Carolan has named the side to face Wales in Ireland's opening game o...



Nigel Carolan names four uncap...
Rugby

Nigel Carolan names four uncapped players for Ireland's opening game of the World Rugby U20 Championship

Ireland U20 Head Coach Nigel Carolan has named the side to face Wales in Ireland's opening game of the World Rugby U20 Championship at the Manchester City Academy Stadium.

Leinster second-row James Ryan captains the side that contains four players who are uncapped at U20 level.

David Aspil and Munster out-half Bill Johnston will win their first U20 caps when they run out in Manchester, while forwards Vincent O'Brien and Vakh Abdaladaze will be looking to win their first caps from the bench.

Front-rowers Andrew Porter and Adam McBurney will be appearing in their second U20 Championships, having played in Italy last year.

Buccaneers and Connacht tight-head prop Conor Kenny completes the front-row.

Ryan is partnered in the second-row by Connacht's Cillian Gallagher, who moves into the number four jersey having played at flanker during the Six Nations.

The back-row is comprised of Aspil, Max Deegan at number eight and UCD flanker Greg Jones.

Sligo scrum-half Stephen Kerins partners Johnston at half-back, with Conor O'Brien and Shane Daly renewing their centre partnership from the Six Nations.

The back three is comprised of Ulster full-back Jacob Stockdale, who is the third member of the squad appearing at his second U20 Championship and wings Matthew Byrne of Terenure RFC and UCD's Hugo Keenan.

"The game against Wales is a hugely important test for this team and we've been building towards it since we came together as a squad a number of weeks ago" Carolan said ahead of the game.

"There's a good mix to the team that's been selected – the likes of Andrew, Adam and Jacob were here last year and can bring that experience into the squad, while there will also be some players winning new caps and we're looking forward to seeing what they can do."

Ireland U20 Team to face Wales

 
15. Jacob Stockdale (Belfast Harlequins / Ulster)
14. Matthew Byrne (Terenure / Leinster)
13. Shane Daly (Cork Con / Munster)
12. Conor O'Brien (Clontarf / Leinster)
11. Hugo Keenan (UCD / Leinster)
10. Bill Johnston (Garryowen / Munster)*
9. Stephen Kerins (Sligo / Connacht)
1. Andrew Porter (UCD / Leinster)
2. Adam McBurney (Ballymena / Ulster)
3. Conor Kenny (Buccaneers / Connacht)
4. Cillian Gallagher (Sligo / Connacht)
5. James Ryan (Lansdowne / Leinster) Captain
6. Greg Jones (UCD / Leinster)
7. David Aspil (St.Mary's RFC / Leinster)*
8. Max Deegan (Lansdowne / Leinster)
 
Replacements
16. Vincent O'Brien (Cork Con / Munster)*
17. Vakh Abdaladze (Clontarf / Leinster)*
18. Ben Betts (Young Munster / Munster)
19. Sean O'Connor (Cashel / Munster)
20. Kelvin Brown (Shannon / Munster)
21. Niall Saunders (Epsom College)
22. Johnny McPhillips (Queens University / Ulster)
23. Jimmy O'Brien (UCD / Leinster)
 
*Denotes Uncapped 
 
Ireland U20 World Rugby U20 Championship Fixtures
Pool A

Wales v Ireland
Manchester City Academy Stadium
Tuesday 7th June, 2016
KO: 17:30
 
New Zealand v Ireland
Manchester City Academy Stadium
Saturday 11th June, 2016
KO: 13:30
 
Ireland v Georgia
Manchester City Academy Stadium
Wednesday 15th June, 2016
KO: 17:30

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