Emerging Ireland coaches Allen Clarke and Girvan Dempsey have named their team for their first game of the Tbilisi Cup tomorrow. Ireland take on Emerging Italy at 2 pm Irish time tomorrow.
All of the 2015 Tbilisi Cup matches will be streamed live online. The links to the live streams will be provided via the Georgian Rugby Union website and social media.
Rhys Ruddock captains an exciting team that rewards the form of some of Ireland's most promising young players.
Connacht have four players in the starting team - with Matt Healy, Denis Buckley, Tiernan O'Halloran and incoming Ben Marshall included. Healy and Buckley in particular have had outstanding seasons, and this selection is just recognition for their efforts.
Andrew Conway and Stuart McCloskey join ex-Connacht centre Eoin Griffin in the backline, which will be conducted by outgoing Munster playmaker JJ Hanrahan. Luke McGrath will be asked to provide quick service to that exciting backline.
There's a chance to glimpse the future Leinster backrow, with former Ireland U-20 captain Dan Leavy joining captain Ruddock and Jack Conan.
Munster's Stephen Archer and Billy Holland are also included along with Ulster's Rob Herring.
Connacht have five players on the bench, and it will be interesting to see the likes of Finlay Bealham at this level. 23-year-old Bealham more than held his own on his breakout season with Connacht and should relish this opportunity.
EMERGING IRELAND Team & Replacements (v Emerging Italy, Tbilisi Cup Round 1, Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi, Georgia, Saturday, June 13, kick-off 5pm local time/2pm Irish time):
15. Tiernan O'Halloran (Buccaneers/Connacht)
14. Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster)
13. Eoin Griffin (London Irish)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
11. Matt Healy (Lansdowne/Connacht)
10. JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster)
9. Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster)
1. Denis Buckley (Corinthians/Connacht)
2. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
3. Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution/Munster)
4. Ben Marshall (Old Belvedere/Connacht)
5. Billy Holland (Cork Constitution/Munster)
6. Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster) (capt)
7. Dan Leavy (UCD/Leinster)
8. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Replacements:
16. Dave Heffernan (Buccaneers/Connacht)
17. Andrew Warwick (Ballymena/Ulster)
18. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)
19. Andrew Browne (Galwegians /Connacht)
20. Eoghan Masterson (Corinthians/Connacht)
21. John Cooney (Terenure College/Connacht)
22. Rory Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)
23. Peter Nelson (Malone/Ulster)
