Under-19 World Cup:The Under-19 World Cup kicks off on Thursday with Ireland hosting defending champions Australia at Ravenhill. Like last year in Dubai, where the Charlie McAleese-coached side finished fifth, Ireland are way down the pecking order.
The Wallabies will field a physically intimidating pack and a half-back pairing that has been impressing for the Queensland Reds in the Super 14 this season. Quade Cooper and Will Genia bring their professional experiences into direct contact with the cream of Irish schools rugby and those eligible from the under-20 club ranks. Five of the stand-out performers from Leinster schools champions St Michael's are in the squad.
The IRFU decision to row into line with IRB age grades, which is confined to a calendar not academic year, has restricted McAleese's selection options. "We are ring-fenced into one age group. The schools are playing their own Six Nations, while the club under-18 team are playing in a FIRA tournament so the IRFU said you are not allowed these guys. We made a plea this year that was turned down but I think as we see other countries get ahead of us in the development process that might change."
There lies the primary concern. Ireland have a proud record at underage level but have failed to make a significant impact at under-19 since winning the tournament in 1998. Brian O'Driscoll, Donncha O'Callaghan and Paddy Wallace are the main products from that success. There are further hindrances. When McAleese sits down this evening to select a team with fellow coaches Bobby Byrne, Leinster forwards coach under Declan Kidney, and former international centre Kurt McQuilkin, the starting XV will be markedly altered from the warm-up games away to Wales and Italy.
For the record Wales handed them a 31-9 defeat while the Italian encounter finished in a draw. There was also a hit-out against Ballynahinch, where McAleese's son is the scrumhalf. Harry McAleese is competing for the number nine shirt with Kris Greene of St Mary's RFC.
The squad received a significant influx of quality after St Patrick's weekend when the St Michael's contingent - Paddy Mallon, Rajan Reilly, Ian Leonard, Paddy Brophy and captain Conor Cleary - were joined by Darragh Fitzpatrick and Jason Harris-Wright from Blackrock College and outhalf Scott Deasy from Munster champions Pres Cork. Again, Leinster schools graduates provide the core talent. The team is captained by number eight Paul Ryan, who led Blackrock to the schools title in 2006. Ryan is joined by three teammates from that exceptional side - which also included Luke Fitzgerald - in Darragh Fitzpatrick, Brian Cawley (now UCD) and Niall Morris.
Former Belvedere schoolboy Eoin O'Malley, another now in the UCD scholarship scheme, will be handed a playmaker's brief, be it from outhalf or midfield. O'Malley is at his creative best at inside centre. Regardless of Thursday's result, Scotland (next Monday) is a must-win fixture considering South Africa are the final group opponents on Friday week.
BBC 2 COVERAGE: (all Ravenhill): April 5th: New Zealand v Wales, 5.30; Ireland v Australia, 7.30. April 9th: France v South Africa, 5.30 (only available via red button); Ireland v Scotland, 7.30. April 13th: England v New Zealand, 5.30; Ireland v South Africa, 7.30. April 17th: Semi-finals. April 21st: Third-place play-off and final.
