Irish warm up for Chile

A 26-man Irish squad will convene in Dublin this weekend before embarking on a flight from Madrid next Sunday for the World Under-19s Cup in Chile. In accordance with their final placing in last year's tournament in France, when finishing fifth after wins over Romania, Argentina and South Africa and a defeat by Australia, the Irish have been seeded fifth.

Ireland, who won the title in 1998, have been drawn in a qualifying pool with Uruguay, Wales and Chile, and play their opening game against Uruguay at Las Condes at 7.55 pm (Irish time) on Friday, April 6th. The winners then meet either Wales or Chile in the following round on April 9th.

Were Ireland to win their pool they would meet either France or England in the semi-finals.

The Irish team will be captained by openside wing forward John O'Connor of Shannon. The only survivor from last year's event is outhalf Ian Humphreys, brother of the Irish international David.

English rugby chiefs will meet with their top clubs next week to discuss latest proposals for the professional game's future.

Yesterday the board unanimously agreed that it should discuss "A Partnership for Viable Professional Rugby', the blueprint produced by Premier Rugby, umbrella organisation of England's top 12 clubs.

Ireland Under-19s - Backs: Fiach O'Loughlin (Shannon), Richard Jones (Kilkenny College), Andrew Tallon (Lansdowne), Ian Hum- phreys (Dungannon RFC), Michael Rainey (Instonians), Killian Coleman (Terenure College), Nick McClelland (London Irish), Patrick O'Gorman (Saracens), Paddy Berkery (Congowes Wood College), Keith Matthews (UL Bohemians) Cathal Connolly (St Mary's College), Peter O' Brien (UCC). Forwards: Ross Callaghan (Garryowen), John Lyne (Lansdowne), Rory Best (Banbridge), Kevin Corrigan (UCD), Eugene Mc Govern (Crescent Comprehensive), Jody Danagher (UL Bohemians), Ryan Hartigan (UL Bohemians), David Kelly (St Saracan's College), Stephen Keogh (UCC), John Muldoon (Nenagh Ormond), Niall Ronan (Lansdowne ), John O'Connor, Captain (Shannon), Kevin Croke (Newbridge), Frank Cogan (CBC Cork).