Ireland club squad named to face Portugal ‘A’ with Limerick players included | TEAM NEWS

Young Munster trio Conor Bartley, David Begley and Alan Kennedy have been named in the squad, with Bartley set to start at number three, while his teammates take up replacement roles.

The Ireland Club rugby side to face Portugal ‘A’ at Estádio Universitário de Lisboa has been named, with three Limerick players included. The tie is set to kick-off at 7pm on Friday, and will be live streamed by Portugal Rugby.

Young Munster trio Conor Bartley, David Begley and Alan Kennedy have been named in the squad, with Bartley set to start at number three, while his teammates take up replacement roles.

Bartley and Kennedy have been capped at this level before, the pair a part of the squad back in 2020. They join Old Wesley player Cronan Gleeson as the only three players from the current squad already capped.

🗣️ The Club XV team to take on Portugal A, has been named!

Portugal A v Club XV, at Estádio Universitário de Lisboa, tomorrow, Friday 8 March, kick-off 7pm.

📺 Watch the game live: https://t.co/DKu3AGZP6S 👈#IrishRugby

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) March 7, 2024

Harrison Brewer will captain the side and the Terenure College man starts alongside Clontarf’s Fionn Gilbert in the second row.

UCD’s Michael Moloney and Clontarf’s Conor Kelly form an exciting partnership at half back and outside Kelly will be Terenure’s Peter Sylvester. George Pringle of Ballynahinch is at outside centre with a back three of Lansdowne’s Cathal Eddy, Terenure duo Craig Adams and Adam LaGure.

Commenting on the team selection, Sean Skehan, head coach said: “The challenge has been managing training camps alongside players being involved with their clubs. A lot of these guys will be playing in a club international for the first time so it’s very exciting for them.”

Ireland Club XV squad to face Portugal ‘A’:

15. Adam LaGrue (Terenure College)

14. Craig Adams (Terenure College)

13. George Pringle (Ballynahinch)

12. Peter Sylvester (Terenure College)

11. Cathal Eddy (Lansdowne)

10. Conor Kelly (Clontarf)

9. Michael Moloney (UCD)

1. Campbell Classen (Terenure College)

2. Dylan Donnellan (Clontarf)

3. Conor Bartley (Young Munster)

4. Harrison Brewer (Terenure College) (C)

5. Fionn Gilbert (Clontarf)

6. Jack Kelleher (Cork Constitution)

7. Luke Clohessy (Terenure College)

8. Jordan Coghlan (Terenure College)

Replacements:

16. Bobby Sheehan (UCD)

17. David Begley (Young Munster)

18. Cronan Gleeson (Old Wesley)

19. Alan Kennedy (Young Munster)

20. Bradley Luney (Ballynahinch)

21. Rhys O’Donnell (Instonians)

22. Aran Egan (Terenure College)

23. Mark Best (Ballynahinch)