Pictured, L-R: Diarmuid Morrissey, Jim Dollard (Executive Director Electric Ireland), Dan Leavy (U-20 captain), Sean O'Brien, Michael Stapleton and Michael Silke pictured at the recent launch announcing the squad.

Moloney and Walshe among the subs in Ireland U20 squad

Published: Wed 29 Jan 2014, 2:52 PM

Last updated: Wed 29 Jan 2014, 2:55 PM

Two Buccaneers players have been included among the replacements in the Ireland U20 squad for this Friday night's Six Nations clash against Scotland at Dubarry Park, Athlone.

Buccaneers duo Jacob Walshe and Rory Moloney are both listed among the subs, and they will be hopeful of tasting action on their club's home pitch. Kick-off for this Electric Ireland sponsored fixture is 7pm.

Moloney is an exciting flanker who is the current Ireland U-19 captain. A native of Abbeyleix, he has also played for Ireland U-18s as well as featuring on various underage Leinster and Connacht teams. Moloney played with Connacht Eagles in the British & Irish Cup as well as for Buccs in the Ulster Bank League.

Prop Walshe is also a Connacht Academy player and has been named in British & Irish Cup squads by the province. He played with Ballinasloe before joining Buccaneers and has represented Ireland at both U-18 and U-19 grades.

Both Walshe and Moloney were key figures in the Cistercian College, Roscrea team that reached the 2011 Leinster Senior Schools Cup final.

Ireland's starting team for Friday night contains two players who gained U20 Six Nations experience last year – Birr native Peter Dooley (Lansdowne FC) and flanker Peadar Timmins (UCD).

UCD openside Dan Leavy will captain the side while his club compatriot out-half Ross Byrne is installed as vice-captain.

Ireland U20 Head Coach, Mike Ruddock, commented: 'We narrowly lost to Scotland last year so we are aware of the challenge ahead of us. This group have gathered a lot of valuable game time with their clubs and provinces so the group have high hopes of delivering a strong performance at the weekend.”

IRELAND U20s v Scotland U20s – 2014 RBS 6 Nations Championship

15. D. Busby (QUB RFC – ULSTER)
14. Adam Byrne (UCD – LEINSTER)
13. Gary Ringrose (UCD RFC – LEINSTER)
12. Peter Robb (Old Belvedere RFC – LEINSTER)
11. Ian Fitzpatrick(Lansdowne FC – LEINSTER)
10. Ross Byrne (UCD RFC – LEINSTER)
9. Nick McCarthy (UCD RFC – LEINSTER)

8. Jack O'Donoghue (UL Bohemians RFC – MUNSTER)
7. Dan Leavy (UCD RFC – LEINSTER) capt.
6. Peadar Timmins (UCD RFC – LEINSTER)
5. Ross Molony (UCD RFC – LEINSTER)
4. Sean O'Brien (Galwegians RFC – CONNACHT)
3. Rory Burke (Cork Constitution RFC – MUNSTER)
2. Max Abbott (Cork Constitution RFC – MUNSTER)
1. Peter Dooley (Lansdowne FC – LEINSTER)

Replacements

16. Shane Delahunt (Lansdowne FC – LEINSTER)
17. Jacob Walshe (Buccaneers RFC – CONNACHT)
18. Oisin Heffernan (Lansdowne FC – LEINSTER)
19. Joe Joyce (Bristol - EXILES)
20. Rory Moloney (Buccaneers RFC – CONNACHT)
21. Jack Cullen (Bruff RFC – MUNSTER)
22. Conor McKeon (Lansdowne FC – LEINSTER)
23. Dan Goggin (Young Munster RFC – MUNSTER)

*For more on Friday night's game, see this week's Westmeath Independent which is in local shops now.