AFTER SUFFERING SHOULDER injuries on a round-by-round basis, Ireland came through unscathed from a dominant semi-final and were able to name an unchanged 23 for tomorrow’s World Rugby U20 Championship final against England (KO 19.00).
The Wolfpups will be the underdogs against the home favourites in Manchester’s AJ Bell Stadium, but after building on wins over the Grand Slam and world champions with a 37 – 7 win over Argentina last time out, confidence has surely never been higher.
Loosehead powerhouse Andrew Porter leads the side from the front with Ben Betts going from strength to strength since joining Adam McBurney in the first-choice front row. Sean O’Connor again partners captain James Ryan in the second row while player of the tournament nominee Max Deegan is flanked by the tireless Greg Jones and David Aspil.
Johnny McPhillips, who began the tournament behind the now-injured Bill Johnston, will take the reins at out-half partnered by Stephen Kerins. The back-line of Jacob Stockdale, Matt Byrne, Shane Daly, Conor O’Brien and Hugo Keenan has been hugely impressive during the entire tournament and will hope the growing familiarity can help them overcome one more formidable obstacle.
Ireland (v England, World Rugby U20 Championship final)
15. Jacob Stockdale (Belfast Harlequins / Ulster)
14. Matthew Byrne (Terenure / Leinster)
13. Shane Daly (Cork Con / Munster)
12. Conor O’Brien (Clontarf / Leinster)
11. Hugo Keenan (UCD / Leinster)
10. Johnny McPhillips (Queen’s University / Ulster)
9. Stephen Kerins (Sligo / Connacht)
1. Andrew Porter (UCD / Leinster)
2. Adam McBurney (Ballymena / Ulster)
3. Ben Betts (Young Munster / Munster)
4. Sean O’Connor (Cashel / Munster)
5. James Ryan (Lansdowne / Leinster) Capt.
6. Greg Jones (UCD / Leinster)
7. David Aspil (St.Mary’s RFC / Leinster)
8. Max Deegan (Lansdowne / Leinster)
Replacements:
16. Vincent O’Brien (Cork Con / Munster)
17. James Bollard (Dublin University / Leinster)
18. Adam Coyle (Naas / Leinster)
19. Evan Mintern (Cork Con / Munster)
20. Kelvin Brown (Shannon / Munster)
21. Niall Saunders (Harlequins)
22. Brett Connon (Newcastle Falcons)
23. Jimmy O’Brien (UCD / Leinster)
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