DONNACHA RYAN WILL make his return from concussion in a Munster Development/A side that faces the Ireland U20s tomorrow in Thomond Park [KO 5pm, free entry].
The Tipp man has been sidelined since sustaining head injuries in Munster’s Guinness Pro12 meetings with Leinster and Connacht last month, which meant he missed the southern province’s run-in to the season.
Ryan missed the end of Munster’s Pro12 campaign. Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO
Now Ryan will attempt to gain match fitness as he hopes to play a role in Ireland’s trip to South Africa for a three-Test tour under Joe Schmidt next month.
Also in the Munster side to take on Nigel Carolan’s Ireland U20s are senior squad members Niall Scannell, who captains from hooker, and back row Robin Copeland.
Munster U20 players Evan Mintern, Dan Walsh, John Foley, John Poland, Shane O’Hanlon, Barra O’Byrne, Tom McHale and Paul Kiernan are all involved in the tie at Thomond Park.
Walsh, Poland and Kiernan were capped by the Ireland U20s in this year’s Six Nations, but play for their home province in this fixture.
It’s expected that Carolan’s Ireland U20 squad – not yet named – will include highly-rated Munster out-half Bill Johnston, who has recently returned to full training after his recovery from shoulder surgery.
The Ireland U20s are set to name their finalised squad for the forthcoming World Rugby U20 Championship at some point in the next week.
Munster Development/A (v Ireland U20):
15. Conor Kearns
14. Aaron Spring
13. Robbie Deegan
12. Paul Kiernan
11. Steven McMahon
10. Jamie Gavin
9. John Poland
1. Liam O’Connor
2. Niall Scannell (captain)
3. Brian Scott
4. Evan Mintern
5. Donnacha Ryan
6. Robin Copeland
7. Dan Walsh
8. John Foley
Replacements from:
Adam Moloney
Shane O’Hanlon
Tony Cusack
Ben Mitchell
Barra O’Byrne
Conor Oliver
Ben Kilkenny
Jason Higgins
Joey Purcell
Tom McHale
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