IRFU Media Release: Ireland Under-20 team to play South Africa Under-20: 3 Ulster Players starting of the 8 Named in the squad.

The Ireland Under-20 team (sponsored by PwC) to play South Africa has been named by Coach Mike Ruddock.

Ruddock has made five personnel changes to the starting XV that lost out to England in their opening game of the IRB Junior World Championship.

Tiernan O’Halloran comes in at full back with Craig Gilroy moving to the wing. JJ Hanrahan will partner Brendan Macken in the centre.

James McKinney has been promoted to the starting side in the out half position with Paddy Jackson named in the replacements.

Daniel Qualter has been named alongside Michael Kearney in the second row with Aaron Connelly making his tournament debut in the back row.

Iain Henderson, Dominic Gallagher, and Luke Marshall have been named in the replacements.

Speaking about his selection, Ruddock said “We have looked closely at South Africa and they present another massive challenge. Typically they are a big and very physical side. Combine that with a four day turnaround and it is important that we introduce some freshness into our team.

As such I have made five changes to the team that played England. The players coming in are all experienced age grade internationals and they will be keen to perform on the big stage.”

Ireland Under-20 Team to play South Africa Under-20 (IRB Junior World Championship, Treviso, Tuesday, 13th June, kick-off 20.10hrs local time/ 19.10hrs Irish time)

15 – Tiernan O’Halloran (Galwegians – Connacht)
14 – Andrew Conway (Blackrock – Leinster)
13 – Brendan Macken (Blackrock – Leinster)
12 – JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians- Munster)
11 – Craig Gilroy (Dungannon – Ulster)
10 – James McKinney (Queens – Ulster)
9 – Kieran Marmion (UWIC – Exile)
1 – James Tracy (UCD – Leinster)
2 – Niall Annett (Belfast Harlequins – Ulster)
3 – Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf – Leinster)
4 – Michael Kearney (Clontarf – Leinster)
5 – Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers – Connacht)
6 – Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne – Leinster)
7 – Aaron Connelly (Galway Corinthians – Connacht)
8 – Eoin McKeon (Galwegians – Connacht)

Replacements –
16 – David Doyle (UCD – Leinster)
17 – Conor Carey (Ballymena – Ulster)
18 – Iain Henderson (Queens – Ulster)
19 – Dominic Gallagher (Dublin University – Ulster)
20 – Peter Du Toit (UCD – Leinster)
21 – Paddy Jackson (Dungannon – Ulster)
22 – Luke Marshall (Ballymena – Ulster)

Ireland Under-20 Pool Games (All Times are Local)
14 Jun 20:10 Ireland v South Africa Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso
18 Jun 20:10 Ireland v Scotland Stadio Mario Battaglini, Rovigo