Ulster Rugby : Ulster’s Mark McCrea and Ryan Caldwell selected for Ireland A’s starting line-up team to play USA

Ulster’s Mark McCrea and Ryan Caldwell selected for Ireland A’s starting line-up team to play USA

9 June 2008, 4:27 pm

By Christine McNally

Ireland A have named their team for the opening game of the Barclays Churchill Cup against the USA on Wednesday 11th June at Richardson Stadium, Kingston.

Coach Allen Clarke has named a side with a good blend of youth and experience for the encounter. The side includes Heineken Cup winners Denis Hurley and Tomás O'Leary as well as Leinster's Magners League winner Jonathan Sexton. Fresh from Ireland 7s duty Brian Tuohy makes up the back three alongside Hurley and Ulster’s Mark McRea. There is an all Munster look to the midfield with Keith Earls and Kirean Lewis completing the back line.

In the forwards, Ireland A Captain Bob Casey is partnered in the second row by Ulster’s Ryan Caldwell. The front row comprises Leinster tyro Cian Healy alongside Denis Fogarty and Harlequins' Mike Ross. The back row features the multi capped experience of Johnny O'Connor alongside recently departed Ulster players Neil Best and Roger Wilson. Ulster’s Tom Court and David Pollock have been selected as replacements for the game against the USA.

Ireland A

15. Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution/Munster)
14. Mark McCrea (Malone/Ulster)
13. *Kieran Lewis (Garryowen/Munster)
12. Keith Earls (Garryowen/Munster)
11. Brian Tuohy (Cornish Pirates)
10. Johnathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
9. *Tomas O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster)

1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2. Denis Fogarty (Cork Constitution/Munster)
3. Michael Ross (Harlequins)
4. *Bob Casey (London Irish) (capt)
5. Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon/Ulster)
6. *Neil Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
7. *Johnny O'Connor (Corinthians/Connacht)
8. *Roger Wilson (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

Replacements
16. Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
17. Sean Cronin (Shannon/Munster)
18. *Trevor Hogan (Shannon/Leinster)
19. Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
20. David Pollock (Dungannon/Ulster)
21. Frank Murphy (Leicester)
22. Ian Keatley (Clontarf/Leinster)

N.B. * Capped at full international level

Tour Management:
Coach - Allen Clarke
Assistant Coach - Dave O’Mahony
John McKibbin - Team Manager

IRELAND 'A' TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, June 11, 2008: USA v Ireland 'A' at Richardson Stadium, Kingston
Saturday, June 14, 2008: Ireland 'A' v England Saxons at Fletchers Fields, Toronto
Saturday, June 21, 2008: Barclays Churchill Cup finals day at Toyota Park, Chicago

All information for the tournament can be found on the tournament website: www.barclayschurchillcuprugby.com