Irish captain James Ryan has been pulled out of the squad for this evening’s World Rugby U-20 Championship match against Georgia after picking up an injury, writes John Fallon.
Ryan, the outstanding performer for this side all season, suffered a hip injury in the 33-24 win over New Zealand on Saturday.
He was selected on the bench for this evening’s final pool game but has been withdrawn as a precaution.
Cillian Gallagher from Sligo, who started both games in the tournament, has been drafted on to the bench.
Coach Nigel Carolan said Ryan was not being risked as they will have two matches next week in the play-off stages.
“He should be fine for next Monday, we just felt it better not to risk him this evening,” said Carolan.
A win over the newcomers this evening will guarantee a semi-final spot next Monday.
#WorldRugbyU20s Preview: Ireland v Georgia #FutureIsGreen https://t.co/mm894rjUgD pic.twitter.com/Qbz8O9kPzA
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 15, 2016
But Ireland, who have made 13 changes to the starting side, will be on their guard against a Georgia side who were only pipped 10-9 by Six Nations grand slam winners Wales on Saturday.
Kick-off this evening at Manchester City Academy Stadium is at 5.30pm.
Ireland U-20: B Connon (Newcastle Falcons): T Kennedy (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), J O’Brien (UCD/Leinster), P Kiernan (c) (UCC/Munster), H Keenan (UCD/Leinster); J McPhillips (Queen’s University/Ulster), N Saunders (Epsom College/Exiles); J Bollard (Dublin University / Leinster), V O’Brien (Cork Con / Munster), V Abdaladze (Clontarf / Leinster); E Mintern (Cork Constitution/Munster), S O’Connor (Cashel / Munster); G Jones (UCD / Leinster), C Boomer (Ballymena/Ulster), K Brown (Shannon / Munster)
Replacements: A McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster), A Porter (UCD/Leinster), A Coyle (Naas/Leinster), C Gallagher (Sligo/Connacht), M Deegan (Lansdowne/Leinster), S Kerins (Sligo/Connacht), S Daly (Cork Constitution/Munster), J Stockdale (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster).
