McNamara had tried and failed to get O’Connell involved when he was coaching the U18s for a few seasons but the 38-year-old was far more receptive this time around. O’Connell’s reputation may be immense but McNamara described a humble character keen to point out he was there to absorb lessons as well as impart them. These guys have been involved with the Leinster senior side so would have experienced Stuart Lancaster and so on. They have got a pretty good grounding.”The Ireland squad McNamara named yesterday features 11 players who played U20s in either the Six Nations or Junior World Cup last year. First up for them all is a meeting with France at the Stade Amedee Domenech in Brive next Friday night.

Source: Irish Examiner January 23, 2018 00:11 UTC