Rugby News

James Coughlan has been given the nod to captain the Irish Wolfhounds against England Saxons tomorrow evening in a side with a particularly exciting looking back-line.

Uncapped Connacht duo Robbie Henshaw feature in a tasty looking back division alongside Ulster quartet Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Paddy Jackson and Paul Marshall and Leinster winger Luke Fitzgerald, who has looked back to his old self in recent weeks.

Up front, Munster duo Mike Sherry and Dave Kilcoyne will pack down alongside adopted Kiwi Michael Bent in the front row with Lewis Stevenson and Devin Toner forming a particularly tall second row partnership ahead of a back row containing Kevin McLaughlin, Tommy O’Donnell and captain Coughlan.

More than half (eight in total) of the starting XV have yet to earn an official cap for Ireland, with only Ian Madigan of a pretty experienced replacements bench not yet capped at senior level.

There’s plenty to look forward to for Irish rugby fans in a game that represents a great opportunity for those in action to give Declan Kidney something to think about ahead of the meeting with Wales next weekend.

The Irish Wolfhounds take on the England Saxons in the Sportsground at 7.35pm tomorrow night.

Irish Wolfhounds: Robbie Henshaw; Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Dave McSharry, Luke Fitzgerald; Paddy Jackson, Paul Marshall; David Kilcoyne, Mike Sherry, Michael Bent; Lewis Stevenson, Devin Toner; Kevin McLaughlin, Tommy O'Donnell, James Coughlan (Captain).

Replacements: Damien Varley, Tom Court, Declan Fitzpatrick, Iain Henderson, Rhys Ruddock, Isaac Boss, Ian Madigan, Ian Keatley