Portlaoise RFC set to host Junior Interprovincial clash this weekend

Laois rugby fans are in for a treat this Saturday when Leinster and Connacht take each other on in the junior interprovincial. All Roads lead to Portlaoise RFC grounds at Togher for the game which kicks off at 2.30pm.

This is the second round of games in this year’s series and after the opening round this promises to be a cracking game. 

Just like the province’s senior team on Saturday, Leinster juniors put in a cracking display to beat Ulster on a 42-27 scoreline. Played at the home of this year’s Provincial Towns Cup winners, Tullow, the boys in blue put in a storming display. They will need to on top of their game again this Saturday given Connacht’s performance against Munster on Saturday. 

Reigning champions, Munster had to come from behind to beat Connacht in Tuam. With the wind behind them, Connacht raced into a 17-0 lead with half an hour played. By half time the gap was reduced to 17-5. 

Munster dominated the second half but it still took until the 70th minute before they took the lead for the first time and they ran out 24-17 winners. 

Leinster have announced their starting team which can be seen below.

Leinster Rugby Junior Squad v Connacht Rugby:

15. Robbie Vallejo – Boyne RFC

14. Ciaran Fennessy – Athy RFC

13. Mikey Russell – Clondalkin RFC

12. Mark Kehoe – Gorey RFC

11. Stephen Meagher* – DLSP FC

10. Craig Miller – Athy RFC (CAPTAIN)

9. Tristan Brady – Monkstonwn FC

1. Rob Scully – Cill Dara RFC

2. Graham Reynolds – Balbriggan RFC

3. Hugh Carolan – Boyne RFC

4. Wes Carter – Kilkenny RFC

5. Ger Ward – Bective FC

6. Ruadhán McDonnell – Monkstown FC

7. Garry Dunne* – Kilkenny RFC

8. John Dever – Monkstown FC

Replacements:

16. James Brennan* – Monkstown FC

17. Mike Tracey – Roscrea RFC

18. Dylan Casey – Edenderry RFC

19. Benny McManus – Longford RFC

20. Mark Bennett* – Bective FC

21. Paulie Tolofua – DLSP FC

22. Jake McDonald – Kilkenny RFC

23. Garrett Fitzgerald* – Tullow RFC