Rugby: Ireland under-20 coach Allen Clarke announced his 26-man squad for the IRB Junior World Championship tournament today.
The squad is built on the foundation of the under-20 Six Nations squad which saw Ireland finish runner up behind France, who took the title on points difference.
David O'Callaghan, Brian O'Hara and Nevin Spence all come into the squad, benefiting from their performances for the under-20 Development team in their
recent win against France last month. Jonny Shiels was also named after being capped for Ireland under-19 last season.
Ireland are placed in Pool A of the Junior World Championship which is taking place in Japan for the first time. Their opening three games see them play Argentina, defending Champions New Zealand and newcomers Uruguay.
The side will be captained again by number eight Peter O'Mahony, who led the team during the Six Nations.
Ireland under-20 squad:
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)
IRB Junior World Championship Pool A schedule
(all times Irish Nagoya +8 hours)
June 5th
Argentina v Ireland (9am)
Mizuho Rugby Ground, Nagoya
New Zealand v Uruguay (11am)
Mizuho Rugby Ground, Nagoya
June 9th
Argentina v Uruguay (9am)
Mizuho Rugby Ground, Nagoya
Ireland v New Zealand (11am)
Mizuho Rugby Ground, Nagoya
June 13th
Ireland v Uruguay (5am)
Mizuho Rugby Ground, Nagoya
Argentina v New Zealand (7am)
Mizuho Rugby Ground, Nagoya
