A 26 player Ireland schools squad, sponsored by PwC, has been announced to participate in the FIRA/AER U-18 European Championships which take place in Grenoble, France from March 22nd – 30th.
The Ireland U-18 sides that have competed in the tournament over the last number of years have a proud record in the competition, being finalists over the previous three seasons in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
The 2011 side were crowned as European champions for the first time after beating England in the final and included current professional players Stuart Olding and recent O2 Ireland Wolfhounds representative Robbie Henshaw.
This year’s squad is dominated by players from the top teams who reached the latter stages of their provincial schools cup competitions. Ulster champions Methodist College Belfast and Leinster winners Blackrock College supply eight players to the squad, with Leinster schools showing 20 players in total.
Ireland will take on Georgia in the opening game on Friday, 22nd March at 7.00pm.
Ireland U-18 Schools Squad to compete in the FIRA/AER Justin Bridou U-18 European Championship:
Forwards (14):
Oisin Heffernan (CC Roscrea)
Michael Lagan (Methodist College)
Sean McNulty (Rockwell College)
Andrew Roche (Terenure College)
Oliver Jager (Blackrock College)
Jeremy Loughman (Blackrock College)
David O’Connor(Blackrock College)
Alexander Thompson (Methodist College)
James Ryan (St.Michael’s College)
Joshua Murphy (St. Michaels College)
Rory Moloney (CC Roscrea)
Patrick Thornton (Terenure College)
Nick Timoney (Blackrock College)
James Gallagher (Methodist College)
Backs (12):
Nick McCarthy (St. Michaels College)
Charlie Rock (Blackrock College)
Ross Byrne (St.Michaels College)
Ciaran Gaffney (CC Roscrea)
Matthew Gilsenan (St.Michaels College)
Greg O’Shea (Crescent Comprehensive)
Fergal Cleary (Clongowes Wood College)
Harrison Brewer (Terenure College)
Michael Courtney (CBC Monkstown)
Cormac Brennan (CC Roscrea)
Billy Dardis (Terenure College)
Jack Owens (Campbell College)
Management:
Coach – Noel McNamara
Manager – John McKinney
Backs Coach – Mark Butler
Forwards Coach – Brian Robinson
Baggage master – John Moran
Doctor – Prof. John Ryan
Video Analyst – Brett Igoe
Physiotherapist – David Lyons
Strength & Conditioning Coach – Chris Shields
Opening Ireland match:
Friday, 22nd March, K.O. 19.00hrs (local)
Ireland v Georgia
Match venue Name: Moirans (approx. 20kms from Grenoble town centre)
For further information on the tournament schedule go to www.fira-aer-rugby.com
