Ravens Seek Series Win Over Munster A

With a win each for the Ravens (sponsored by CD Group) and Munster A in their three-match series, the two sides meet in Naas tomorrow to decide who will claim the interprovincial bragging rights.

Munster A won by 30 points to 24 in Nenagh, while the Ravens were 15 points to 13 winners at Banbridge Rugby Club a fortnight ago.

Sam Arnold, Lorcan Dow and Alex Thompson who have all been selected in the Ireland squad for the U20s world championship, are all named in the extended Ravens’ panel.

Peter Nelson and Michael Allen are selected in the back three along with Armagh’s Matthew Hooks. Nelson starts at fullback, with Allen named on the right wing and Hooks on the left.

Arnold, who made his senior bow against Newport Gwent Dragons last month, is selected at inside centre alongside Mark Best of Belfast Harlequins.

Michael Heaney, who kicked the winning penalty against Munster A a fortnight ago, retains the outhalf jersey with Hughes Insurance Academy scrumhalf David Shanahan selected at 9.

In the pack, the front row all have senior squad experience with John Andrew picked at hooker, Ricky Lutton at tighthead and Kyle McCall starting at loosehead.

Lewis Stevenson captains the side from the second row, with John Donnan partnering him in the engine room.

Dow is named at Number 8 with Clive Ross at openside and Connor Joyce at blindside.

Forwards Paul Jackson, Ruaidhri Murphy, Thompson, Neil McComb, Frankie Taggart, Sean Reidy and Ballymena’s Stephen Mulholland are joined by backs Connor Young, Kieran Joyce, Adam Lidell and Peter Dunlop on the replacements’ bench.

 Ulster Ravens team & replacements to play Munster A, Interprovincial, Naas RFC, Wednesday 29^th April (15:00 kick off): (15-9): P Nelson, M Allen, M Best, S Arnold, M Hooks, M Heaney, D Shanahan: (1-8): K McCall, J Andrew, R Lutton, J Donnan L Stevenson (Captain), C Joyce, C Ross, L Dow; Replacements (16-26): P Jackson, R Murphy, A Thompson, N McComb, F Taggart, S Reidy, S Mulholland, C Young, K Joyce, A Lidell, P Dunlop.