Bohan starts for Ireland XV in Friday night clash with England 'A' while Mangan ruled out
Kildare's Billy Bohan is in from the start for Ireland XV against England 'A' this Friday night. Photo: INPHO/Ben Brady.
Kildare's Billy Bohan has been selected to start in the Ireland XV team for Friday night's clash with England 'A' in Thomond Park, Limerick.
The 20-year-old Connacht prop was a surprise call-up to the Six Nations squad where he provided loosehead cover following the injury to Leinster's Jack Boyle (with Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy already ruled out).
Bohan was one of three players, however, along with Leinster's Ciaran Frawley and Ulster's Bryn Ward, chosen by Andy Farrell to leave Ireland's training camp in Portugal to return home and link up with the XV squad.
All three men are in from the start on Friday night, with Bohan joined in the front row by Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy and Ulster tighthead Scott Wilson.
Ward is in the back row where he is joined on the flank by Leinster's Max Deegan, who captain's the side, with Munster's Brian Gleeson at number eight. Frawley has been named at fly half, partnering his Leinster teammate Fintan Gunne at half back.
Ireland XV Head Coach Cullie Tucker, who knows Bohan well from Connacht, spoke highly of the Kildare prop; describing the former Newbridge College man as "a great prospect".
Speaking ahead of the game, Tucker said of Bohan: "He's been very impressive since he came through the academy (in Connacht). He got his academy contract a couple of years ago; got into the (Ireland) U20s; just constantly getting better. Very, very curious, inquisitive young man. And fearless around how he trains and how he prepares.
"He's had a massive impact in Connacht already. He's always pushing to be selected every week. He doesn't mind what's in front of him or who he's challenging, which is a great attitude to have.
"And yeah, what another brilliant experience for him last week to go over there and rub shoulders with (the Ireland senior team) and be coached by the coaches up there. So, great progression for him. But it's well-deserved."
Another Kildare man, Diarmuid Mangan, had been expected to start in the second row, but the Sallins lock has been ruled out.
"He just picked up a shoulder injury in the game for Leinster (against Edinburgh) and, considering the tight turnaround for Friday night, he just wasn't going to be right," Tucker said.
"It's one of the things you need guys to be fit in this place, you know, especially when you're coming into a tight turnaround and leading into Friday night, you need him to be training every day.
"And it probably meant he wouldn't put his best foot forward for the team and for himself. So, unfortunately, he was ruled out."
Mangan was heavily fancied to earn a starting place alongside Ulster's Charlie Irvine in the second row, but the Kildare man's injury has seen has forced Ireland to call in cover, with Munster's Fineen Wycherley and Ulster's Harry Sheridan both called up.
The game kicks off at 7.15pm on Friday night, with live coverage on Premier Sports. The Ireland 23 consists of seven Ulster players, six from Connacht, five from Munster and five from Leinster.
Shane Daly; Joshua Kenny, James Hume, Dan Kelly, Zac Ward; Ciaran Frawley, Fintan Gunne; Billy Bohan, Gus McCarthy, Scott Wilson; Charlie Irvine, Fineen Wycherley; Max Deegan (c), Bryn Ward, Brian Gleeson.
Diarmuid Barron, Sam Crean, Jack Aungier, Harry Sheridan, Paul Boyle, Sean Jansen, Matthew Devine, Cathal Forde.
