Heffernan named in emerging ireland squad for tbilisi cup

BALLINA man Dave Heffernan is one of eight Connacht Rugby players named in an Emerging Ireland squad of 27 to travel to Georgia to compete in the World Rugby Tbilisi Cup in June.

Ulster forwards coach Allen Clarke and Leinster's academy manager Girvan Dempsey take charge of an Emerging Ireland squad, who will face off against Emerging Italy, Uruguay and Georgia.

The seven other Connacht players are Finlay Bealham, Denis Buckley, John Cooney, Matt Healy, Eoghan Masterson, Eoin McKeon and Tiernan O’Halloran.

In relation to the tournament, Allen Clarke commented: “This competition gives us the opportunity to develop some of the emerging talent from the four provinces with the support of some experienced players in a very challenging tournament format. It's a great opportunity to see how these players react and perform faced with the challenge of a short preparation.”

Added Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt: “There are some exciting prospects in this Emerging Ireland squad and the Tbilisi Cup is an ideal challenge for them, especially as both Georgia and Uruguay will be using this tournament to springboard their Rugby World Cup campaigns.”

Emerging Ireland will face off against Emerging Italy in their opening game of the tournament on June 13. Four days later they take on Uruguay, with their final game coming against host nation Georgia on June 21. Both Uruguay and Georgia will compete in this year's Rugby World Cup in England.