Sport

Ireland must bounce back

Under-19 World Championship: Ireland face Japan today at Glenwood High School in the semi-final round of the IRB Under-19 World…

Alan Lorimer in Durban
Wed Apr 13 2005 - 01:00

Under-19 World Championship: Ireland face Japan today at Glenwood High School in the semi-final round of the IRB Under-19 World Championship in Durban knowing that any slip against their opponents would produce a lowly finishing position for the Irish side.

Ireland are currently ranked ninth, with Japan 12th, based on the positions after the three pool matches.

On paper this should result in an Ireland victory, but coach Bryan Hyland knows that Japan, despite losing their first three matches, are still dangerous opponents.

"Japan are physically strong, they are very committed in the tackle and they swarm in defence," said Hyland.

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"We have to be structured in our approach and build phases. Then, we can create space out wide where our fast back three can do damage."

Ireland go into this match on the back of a very disappointing display against Australia. "This will be a test for the players. They know they haven't performed yet in this championship. Now they need to," he added.

If Ireland, as is expected, win today - and if Scotland defeat Georgia - then the play-off for ninth and 10th positions at King's Park on Sunday will be between the two Celtic nations.

The nightmare scenario, however, is that Ireland and Scotland - as a result of two defeats today - could be playing to avoid relegation in the final match.

For the game against Japan, Blackrock's Eric Moloney comes in at right wing for the injured Frankie Daly and UCD's Killian Lett takes over in the crucial role of outhalf from Evan Ryan, who is also injured.

In the pack, Devin Toner of Lansdowne starts at lock, and there are two changes in the backrow with Adrian Saunderson of Ballyclare at blindside flanker and skipper Diarmuid Laffan switching to number eight.

IRELAND UNDER-19 (v Japan): R Kearney (UCD); E Moloney (Blackrock), F McFadden (Clongowes), D Cave (Upper Sullivan), D Black (Portadown); K Lett (UCD), M D'Arcy (Dublin University); C Black (Hartpury), G O'Meara (Lansdowne), K Griffin (Shannon), D McGowan (Buccaneers), D Toner (Lansdowne), A Saunderson (Ballyclare), B O'Mahony (Crescent Comp), D Laffan (Dublin University). Replacements: C Muldoon (Galwegians), G Walsh (UL Bohemians), B Lynch (Rotherham Titans), G Cooney (Old Belvedere), R Boles (Colston), K Moloney (Blackrock), D Dawson (Cooke), P Durcan (Roscrea), K Earls (St Munchin's), K Moloney (Blackrock), D O'Reilly (Blackrock).