Ireland 'A' compete in the Churchill Cup

Today Ireland ‘A’ play their first match in the 7th annual Churchill Cup.   This years competition is being held in Colorado USA with 6 countries competing in 2 pools.  Ireland is in Pool A with Canada and Georgia, while pool B contains Argentina Jaguars, England Saxons and USA.

Normally Connacht’s Michael Bradley coaches the team but this year Declan Kidney along with the rest of the senior Ireland coaching staff are in charge.  Obviously with an eye to building the senior squad for the world cup in 2 years time. 

Some players such as Tony Buckley and Donnacha Ryan, that played in the recent summer tour of Canada and USA have been given another chance to perform and impress. While there are young players including Chris Henry that are being given their first opportunity to make an impact on the future plans for the Irish rugby team.
 

Ireland take to the field at 7pm local time in  Infinity Park, Glendale.  The team is as follows:
Ireland ‘A’
1 - Bryan Young (Ulster)
2 - Sean Cronin (Connacht)
3 - Tony Buckley (Munster)
4 - Donnacha Ryan (Munster)
5 - Devon Toner (Leinster)
6 - Neil Best (Northampton Saints)
7 - Sean O’Brien (Leinster)
8 - Chris Henry (Ulster)
9 - Isaac Boss (Ulster) Captain
10 - Niall O’Connor (Ulster)
11 - Johne Murphy (Leicester)
12 - Keith Matthews (Connacht)
13 - Fergus McFadden (Leinster)
14 - Fionn Carr (Connacht)
15 - Denis Hurley (Munster)

Replacements:
16 - Denis Fogarty (Munster)
17 - Cian Healy (Leinster)
18 - Trevor Hogan (Leinster)
19 - John Muldoon (Connacht)
20 - Frank Murphy (Connacht)
21 - Jonathan Sexton (Leinster)
22 - James Downey (Northampton Saints)