Hi °C | Lo °C Eight Ulster players are hoping to make an impression this weekend when Ireland head off to Edinburgh for the Celtic Cup series against France, Wales and Scotland.
Coach Paul Revington is taking his fringe players to Peffermill, as his seniors rest ahead of the following week's world-ranking tournament, the Champions Challenge II series being staged in Dublin.
Revington and High Performance Director Dave Passmore have thrown down the gauntlet to the rising stars, not only asking them to go and win the trophy but also show that they are ready to step up to the next level over the coming months.
Revington has named only 17 for the Champions Challenge series, and there's every chance the final slot will go to someone who impresses over the Celtic Cup weekend.
There's also the European Nations Trophy coming up in Wrexham in early August and a World Qualifier in the autumn at a date and venue yet to be decided, so there's certainly something for the young players to aim at.
Much attention will be on Ulster trio Peter Caruth (Annadale), Bruce McCandless (Banbridge) and Chris Cargo (Reading) up front, while Cookstown's David Ames and Mossley's Simon Todd are likely to feature in midfield.
And Loughborough duo John Jackson and Paul Gleghorne, as well as Cookstown's Keith Black, are earmarked for defensive roles and indeed Jackson - who is also in the Champions Challenge squad - will captain the side, highlighting that Revington rates him highly for the future.
“The Celtic Cup is too close to the Champions Challenge, which carries major ranking significance, so it's no surprise that we are sending a fringe squad,” said Revington.
“But it gives me a chance to see whether we have strength the depth, and how are younger players are progressing.”
IRELAND: Iain Walker (Dublin YMCA), David Fitzgerald (Monkstown), John Jackson (Loughborough), Brian Doherty (Corinthian), Adam Pritchard (Cork C of I), Paul Gleghorne (Loughborough), Keith Black (Cookstown), Simon Todd (Mossley), David Ames (Cookstown), David Robinson (Dublin YMCA), Alan Giles (Pembroke), Michael Maguire (Three Rock), Andrew Herbert (Cork C of I), Peter Blakeney (Three Rock), Peter Caruth (Annadale), Gareth Watkins (Monkstown), Bruce McCandless (Banbridge), Chris Cargo (Reading). Programme: Friday: Ireland v France (2pm); Saturday: Wales v Ireland (12noon); Sunday: Scotland v Ireland.
