Posted 04 February 2011
UCD players join Under-20s Six Nations squad
Five UCD rugby players have been selected for the Ireland Under-20s RBS Six Nations Championship squad. Their opening match against Italy will take place at Stadio XXV Aprile, Parma on Friday 04 February 2011.
The UCD rugby players on the squad are: David Doyle (BSc Physiotherapy: Stage 1); James Tracy (BSc Health and Performance Science: Stage 1); Sam Coghlan Murray (BBL Business and Law: Stage 1); Peter du Toit (BSc Computer Science: Stage 2), and Alex Kelly (BSc Architecture: Stage 1).
“It’s always great to see our players competing at the highest international level,” said John McClean, Director of UCD Rugby. “We wish them and the Irish squad every success in the Under-20s Six Nations Championship.”
Doyle, Tracy and Coghlan Murray are members of the UCD Elite Athlete Academy which was launched last year.
“It’s very encouraging to see three members of the UCD Elite Athlete Academy selected for the Ireland Under-20s rugby squad,” says Professor Colin Boreham, Director of the UCD Institute for Sport and Health, University College Dublin.
“We look forward to their performances and that of their UCD colleagues.”
Speaking ahead of the game against Italy, new head coach, Mike Ruddock said: "After winning the Championship last season, the stakes are set high for us this year. But this is a new season, a new squad and a clean slate.”
"Our focus for now is on kicking off the Championship with a strong performance and while it is great to have a core of experienced players, we will be looking for the entire squad to show what they can do.”
The Ireland Under-20s has been supported by sponsors PricewaterhouseCoopers over the last five seasons, during which time they secured a Grand Slam in 2007 and won the Championship last year.
Unfortunately, due to illness, Sam Coghlan Murray will not join the squad for their first game.
* Following the publication of this article, it was reported that Andrew Boyle (BSc Physiotherapy, Stage 2) was also selected for the U-20s rugby squad.
There will be live web only coverage (Ireland only) of Friday's match on www.rte.ie, beginning at 5.55pm. Commentary will be provided by Gary Moran and Mark McDermott.
For more see - http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/22042.php
(Produced by UCD University Relations)
