Ireland name team for France clash

Ireland coach Andy Kelly has named a highly experienced team to take on France in Avignon.

Three players who took part in the Championship playoff finals have been named in the starting thirteen along with five Super League players.

Scott Grix will start at standoff and will be partnered by this year’s Championship player of the year, Liam Finn who will take up his place at scrum half.
Harlequins back Jamie O’Callaghan will make his debut when he starts in the centre along with Warrington Wolves Simon Grix. This will be the first time the Grix brothers will play together since they signed professional terms.

Championship 1 grand finalists Oldham will have three men in the match day 17 with John Gillam, Wayne Kerr and Matt Ashe all pulling on the green shirt.
Speaking at last night’s press conference, Kelly praised the efforts of his squad leading up to this vital fixture “The squad have worked extremely hard to come together as a team and although we have had some withdrawals for various reasons I still feel extremely positive about the teams capability to represent Ireland in a passionate competitive way.”

Kelly will hope his charges can get their campaign off to the perfect start against a strong French side in Avignon.
Ireland Team:
1 Greg McNally
2 Tim Bergin
3 Simon Grix
4 Jamie O’Callaghan
5 John Gillam
6 Scott Grix
7 Liam Finn
8 Michael Hayley
9 Bob Beswick
10 Bret McDermott
11 Sean Hesketh
12 Luke Ambler
13 Matthew Fox

Interchange

14 Matt Ashe
15 Wayne Kerr
16 Brendan Guilfoyle
17 Joseph Taylor