LEINSTER’S RHYS RUDDOCK is one of three full internationals starting, as Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke has named his side for tomorrow’s Tbilisi Cup opener against Emerging Italy.
Clarke and his assistant Girvan Dempsey have named a starting XV with a mix of the four provinces, with four starters from Munster, Leinster and Connacht, as well as two Ultster starters and one lone exile.
Connacht’s Denis Buckley looks like being one of the players who does still have a chance at making the World Cup squad, and he starts at loosehead alongside Ulster’s Rob Herring and Munster’s Stephen Archer, the two other full internationals in the side.
Munster’s Billy Holland partners new Connacht signing Ben Marshall in the second row, while Rhys Ruddock captains the side from blindside flanker, with Leinster’s Dan Leavy at openside and Jack Conan at number 8.
Conan was one of two late call-ups to the squad in Georgia, the Leinster man joins Andrew Browne in the arrivals hall with Connacht’s Eoin McKeon and Ulster’s Lewis Stevenson heading home.
Another Leinster man, Luke McGrath gets the nod over John Cooney at scrum-half, while soon to be Northampton Saint JJ Hanrahan starts at 10.
Stuart McCloskey partners London Irish’s Eoin Griffin in the centre, while the team is completed with Matt Healy and Andrew Conway on the wings, Tiernan O’Halloran starting at full-back.
Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke is confident that despite the players unfamiliarity with one another, they have the potential to compliment each other well.
“In the short period we have been together we have had a very positive response from the players.
The game against Emerging Italy provides an opportunity for these players to illustrate to us how well they have prepared and their ability to cope within this challenging environment,” he said.
Emerging Ireland:
15. Tiernan O’Halloran (Buccaneers/Connacht)
14. Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster)
13. Eoin Griffin (London Irish)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
11. Matt Healy (Lansdowne/Connacht)
10. JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster)
9. Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster)
1. Denis Buckley (Corinthians/Connacht)
2. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
3. Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution/Munster)
4. Ben Marshall (Old Belvedere/Connacht)
5. Billy Holland (Cork Constitution/Munster)
6. Rhys Ruddock (St Mary’s College/Leinster) captain
7. Dan Leavy (UCD/Leinster)
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan (Buccaneers/Connacht)
17. Andy Warwick (Ballymena/Ulster)
18. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)
19. Andrew Browne (Galwegians /Connacht)
20. Eoghan Masterson (Corinthians/Connacht)
21. John Cooney (Terenure/Connacht)
22. Rory Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)
23. Peter Nelson (Malone/Ulster)
