News

Emerging Ireland Team To Play Uruguay

16th June 2014

The Emerging Ireland team and replacements has been named to play Uruguay in their second game of the IRB Nations Cup.

Head Coach, Dan McFarland has made nine changes and five positional changes to the side who stormed to a 66 points to nil victory over Russia in their opening game. The game was called to a halt at half time due to an electrical storm which was deemed too dangerous to continue playing.

A new look front row sees Ulster’s Ricky Lutton, John Ryan of Munster and Leinster’s Bryan Byrne all make their first start of the tournament while Billy Holland comes in to partner Mick Kearney in the second row.

Tommy O'Donnell moves from openside to blindside flanker and Sean Dougall is named at openside. They are joined in the back row by Paddy Butler at no.8.

A refreshed centre pairing sees Brendan Macken make his first start of the tournament alongside Eoin Griffen. JJ Hanrahan is named at outhalf with Luke McGrath replaces Paul Marshall at scrum half.

Craig Gilroy makes the switch from wing to full back with Johne Murphy and Michel Allen on the wings. Munster’s Johne Murphy will captain the side.

Emerging Ireland squad to play Uruguay (IRB Nations Cup, Wednesday 18th June, Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest - 16:00 local time / 14:00 Irish time)

15- Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster)

14- Johne Murphy (Young Munster/Munster) C

13- Brendan Macken (Blackrock College/Leinster)

12- Eoin Griffin (Galwegians/Connacht)

11- Michael Allen (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

10 - JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster)

9- Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster)

1- John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster)

2- Bryan Byrne (Clontarf/Leinster)

3- Richard Lutton (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

4- Mick Kearney (Clontarf/Connacht)

5- Billy Holland (Cork Constitution/Ulster)