Ballymena's Matt McCullough will lead Ireland's campaign in the IRB under-21 World Cup in Johannesburg in June.

McCullough who captained the Irish squad in their Six Nations campaign, is joined by seven other Ulster players.

He is joined in the forwards by Eaton Park colleagues Bryan Young and Neil McMillan.

Also on the plane to South Africa are Banbridge-born hooker Rory Best, Dungannon's Tim Barker and former RBAI number 8 Roger Wilson.

In the backs Greg Mitchell is joined by his Ballymena team-mate Scott Young.

Ireland have a very difficult passage in this their introduction to the global event at this level.

They kick-off with a game against Australia, then take on Fiji before tackling favourites and hosts South Africa at Ellis Park.

Backs: Paul Devlin (Sale), Gavin Duffy (Galwegians), Eoghan Hickey (UCD), Barry Lynn (St Mary's College), Martin McPhail (UL Bohemians), Conor McPhillips (St. Mary's College), Greg Mitchell (Ballymena), Frank Murphy (UCC), James Norton (St. Mary's College), Brian O' Riordan (UCD), Conrad O' Sullivan (UCC), Scott Young (Ballymena).

Forwards: Tim Barker (Dungannon), Rory Best (Newcastle), Michael Carroll (Blackrock College), Kevin Corrigan (UCD), Conor Hartigan (Shannon), Shane Jennings (St. Mary's College), Stephen Keogh (UCC), Denis Leamy (UCC), John Lyne (Lansdowne), Matthew Mc Cullough (Ballymena), Neil McMillan (Ballymena), Sean Phillips (Saracens), Roger Wilson (Dublin University), Bryan Young (Ballymena) Management: David Haslett (Manager), Ciaran Fitzgerald (Coach).

Schedule:
14 June: v Australia, Wits Univ. Stadium.
18 June: v v Fiji, RAU Stadium.
21 June: v South Africa, Ellis Park.

Pools (seedings)
Pool A:
New Zealand (1)
Argentina (8)
Italy (9)

Pool B
Australia (2)
South Africa (7)
Fiji (10)

Pool C
France (3)
Ireland (6)
Romania (11)

Pool D
Wales (4)
England (5)
Japan (12)