Geesala man prepares for World Cup semi-final

Geesala's Fiachna Barrett will play for Ireland in tomorrow's semi-final agaist South Africa at the U20 Rugby World Cup. The tight-head prop has been named on the bench for the clash with the home side in Cape Town at 3.30pm (Irish tijme).

The young man who came through the ranks at Ballina RFC takes his place on a very strong replacements bench alongside Munster's Danny Sheahan who was Man of the Match in Tuesday’s win over Fiji, Leinster duo George Hadden and Dan Barron and the UL Bohemians' second-row Evan O’Connell. Impressive backs, Oscar Cawley, Matthew Lynch and Sam Berman complete the Ireland 23.

Barrett has made a huge impact already in the 12-team championship as Ireland topped their pool and qualified for the last four alongside France, South Africa and England. He came off the banch against England and Australia and started last Tuesday's game against Fiji.

The Erris man is one of three Connacht players in the Irish matchday squad alongside Hugh Gavin from Galwegians and Corinthians' John Devine.

Ballina's Harry West misses out due to a hamstring injury picked up in training before the Fiji match. Sunday's game will be screened live on Virgin Media 2.