Ireland under 20s 6 Nations thread

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

There are a lot more talking points here about Mike Ruddock's selection to play Wales under 20s than there are for Declan Kidney's team to face the Wales senior team.

http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/25488.php
The Ireland Under-20 team, sponsored by PwC, has been announced by head coach Mike Ruddock for this Friday's opening game in the RBS Under-20 6 Nations Championship against Wales in Athlone.

Mike Ruddock has named an experienced side with seven players from last year's Ireland Under-20 squad included in the starting line-up to play Wales. Buccaneers' own Daniel Qualter will link up with Iain Henderson in the second row, while fellow Connacht native Aaron Conneely is named in the back row.

Centre JJ Hanarahan makes a return to the side from last year along with Sam Coghlan Murray who has been named on the left wing.
Kieran Marmion will take up the scrum half position and will partner Paddy Jackson who has been named at out-half. The Ulster-capped Jackson will also captain this year's side.

Speaking ahead of the opening game, Ruddock said: "We are all looking forward to the start of the Six Nations. It is always a tough test against Wales but preparations have been first class.

"We are confident we have prepared as best as we can and are now looking forward to transferring that training onto the pitch itself."
Friday's clash will be broadcast live on RTÉ Two, with commentary provided by Ryle Nugent and Donal Lenihan. It will also be shown on RTE.ie (Island of Ireland only).

IRELAND UNDER-20 Team & Replacements (v Wales Under-20s, RBS Under-20 6 Nations Championship, Dubarry Park, Buccaneers RFC, Friday, February 3, kick-off 7.05pm):

15 - Shane Layden (Buccaneers/Connacht)
14 - Barry Daly (UCD/Leinster)
13 - Foster Horan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
12 - JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster)
11 - Sam Coghlan Murray (UCD/Leinster)
10 - Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster) (capt)
9 - Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht)
1 - Kyle McCall (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
2 - Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)
3 - Peter Reilly (Lansdowne/Leinster)
4 - Iain Henderson (Queen's University/Ulster)
5 - Daniel Qualter (Buccaneers/Connacht)
6 - Conor Gilsenan (UCD/Leinster)
7 - Aaron Conneely (Corinthians/Connacht)
8 - Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Replacements:
16 - Des Merrey (Clontarf/Leinster)
17 - James Rael (Garryowen/Munster)
18 - Jake Cawley (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
19 - Tadgh Beirne (Lansdowne/Leinster)
20 - Jordan Coghlan (UCD/Leinster)
21 - Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster)
22 - Cathal Marsh (Dublin University/Leinster)
23 - Christopher Farrell (Dungannon/Ulster)

Before the warm ups against Leinster and Ulster, I didn't think this team would be up to much but they destroyed a relatively experienced (and talented) Leinster development XV before Christmas so perhaps I was being harsh.

In my opinion, the best players in this squad are the two inside centres, JJ Hanrahan and Christopher Farrell, the two flyhalves, Paddy Jackson and Cathal Marsh, reserve scrum half Luke McGrath and starting blindside Conor Gilsenan. Shane Layden, Danny Qualter and Aaron Conneely also have talent and could become mainstays of the full Connacht team before too long. Ulster fullback Peter Nelson likely would have started for this team if fit, as would tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong who's a superb prospect.

 

[big ginger 8]

Decent team not as good as last years I'd say.

 

[Peat]

Decent team not as good as last years I'd say.

Naturally, it has less Nordies.

That said, that looks a bigger pack than last year. Surprised Shane Buckley isn't back.

 

[big ginger 8]

If you think about it the backs were something else last year the back-three especially. I mean Conway and Gilroy both been involved with the full squad this year no matter what their level of involvement was.

 

[Peat]

If you think about it the backs were something else last year the back-three especially. I mean Conway and Gilroy both been involved with the full squad this year no matter what their level of involvement was.

No argument about it - O'Halloran's been involved too hasn't he? Both Marshall and Macken had made their senior provincial debuts too by that point, and Jackson too of course. Seriously good backline. And once again, it was let down by the traditionally poor Irish scrum-half and traditionally small Irish pack. The latter might account for the former mind. But, anyway, better the backline there if well served then last year's backline poorly served. Plus there's some handy players there this year from all I've heard - they mightn't have had the exposure, but they've still got talent. Maybe.

Btw, Jackson hasn't played in a while and is in slightly rancid form. Apparently. Just warning you...

 

[profitius]

Connacht won the U20 inter provincial championship. They have 4 players there and Leinster have 12!

 

[lucky number 7]

I tipped Foster Horan for this since I was ten years of age...the man has always been a ****ing mutant...watch out for him.

Also haven't seen Tadhg play in ages how is he performing?

Edit: I remember he got badly injured.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

They should be starting Luke McGrath imo

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I tipped Foster Horan for this since I was ten years of age...the man has always been a ****ing mutant...watch out for him.

It's great to see players like Horan and Furlong get a chance. Horan went to Kilkenny College did he not? That's hardly a schools rugby powerhouse. Furlong didn't go to a rugby school. Other Leinster reps in this squad didn't go to strong rugby schools either. Daly was in Gonzaga, Coghlan Murray went to Newbridge, Reilly was in Castleknock and Conan was in St Gerards.

I'm looking forward to seeing this tomorrow. As I often say, the result doesn't matter, what's more important is that individuals put their hands up as future talents. Does anybody know if Wales are any use?

 

[King_D'Arcy]

It's great to see players like Horan and Furlong get a chance. Horan went to Kilkenny College did he not? That's hardly a schools rugby powerhouse. Furlong didn't go to a rugby school. Other Leinster reps in this squad didn't go to strong rugby schools either. Daly was in Gonzaga, Coghlan Murray went to Newbridge, Reilly was in Castleknock and Conan was in St Gerards.

I'm looking forward to seeing this tomorrow. As I often say, the result doesn't matter, what's more important is that individuals put their hands up as future talents. Does anybody know if Wales are any use?

Gonzaga seem to have a sneaky rep or 2 in every underage Ireland team for the last few years. They've a few lads in the Leinster senior squad now too

 

[Peat]

Wales Under 20s
15 Ross Jones
14 Iolo Evans
13 Nathan Edwards
12 Cory Allen
11 Luke Morgan
10 Sam Davies
9 Jonathan Evans
1 Rob Evans
2 Kirby Myhill
3 WillGriff John
4 Matthew Screech
5 Rhodri Hughes
6 Ellis Jenkins
7 Daniel Thomas
8 Reuben Thomas

Substitutes
16 Jamie Sollis
17 Thomas Davies
18 Dan Suter
19 Dan Crimmins
20 Ieuan Jones
21 Joshua Davies
22 Lewis Williams
23 Luke Williams

That's the Taff side, don't really know much about them. Wales are generally fairly handy at this level.

 

[lucky number 7]

It's great to see players like Horan and Furlong get a chance. Horan went to Kilkenny College did he not? That's hardly a schools rugby powerhouse. Furlong didn't go to a rugby school. Other Leinster reps in this squad didn't go to strong rugby schools either. Daly was in Gonzaga, Coghlan Murray went to Newbridge, Reilly was in Castleknock and Conan was in St Gerards.

I'm looking forward to seeing this tomorrow. As I often say, the result doesn't matter, what's more important is that individuals put their hands up as future talents. Does anybody know if Wales are any use?

Yep went to Kilkenny College and played with them.

Tadhg in fact came completely through the club screening programme which is pretty rare.

 

[Me 1]

Wales Under 20s
15 Ross Jones
14 Iolo Evans
13 Nathan Edwards
12 Cory Allen
11 Luke Morgan
10 Sam Davies
9 Jonathan Evans
1 Rob Evans
2 Kirby Myhill
3 WillGriff John
4 Matthew Screech
5 Rhodri Hughes
6 Ellis Jenkins
7 Daniel Thomas
8 Reuben Thomas

Substitutes
16 Jamie Sollis
17 Thomas Davies
18 Dan Suter
19 Dan Crimmins
20 Ieuan Jones
21 Joshua Davies
22 Lewis Williams
23 Luke Williams

That's the Taff side, don't really know much about them. Wales are generally fairly handy at this level.

Why is Jordan Williams not playing?

 

[Peat]

Why is Jordan Williams not playing?

Kept back by his club? A lot of Welsh players have been kept back I believe - I know Opsreys are keeping back a couple.

Not that I know who Jordan Williams is :lol:

 

[Me 1]

Kept back by his club? A lot of Welsh players have been kept back I believe - I know Opsreys are keeping back a couple.

Not that I know who Jordan Williams is :lol:

I'm not sure, I know some have but he isn't getting a huge amount of game time with us (although with Priestland and Stephen Jones away that may change). Although I have heard good things about Sam Davies so that's a plus. Strangely, he is in the Ospreys academy despite being the son of Scarlets coach Nigel:huh:

 

[profitius]

This should be a good game. I know little about the Irish players and less about the Welsh so it should be a good match to watch.

 

[Saintjay]

Ireland and Wales last year 26-26. So it should be good game.

Wales have had a number of reviews and investigations following a massive defeat to the All Blacks U20's in June 2011 when they were beat by a massive 92-0.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

This should be a good game. I know little about the Irish players and less about the Welsh so it should be a good match to watch.

The Welsh fullback Ross Jones went to school in Dublin (Castleknock College). He was flyhalf on the same Castleknock team as Ireland's starting tighthead Peter Reilly (who was a hooker on his schools cup team).

 

[big ginger 8]

The Welsh fullback Ross Jones went to school in Dublin (Castleknock College). He was flyhalf on the same Castleknock team as Ireland's starting tighthead Peter Reilly (who was a hooker on his schools cup team).

What year were they?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Left two years ago. They were destroyed in the senior cup by a St.Michael's team which featured Cathal Marsh and Luke McGrath at halfback. Marsh gave the best performance I've ever seen by a flyhalf at that level that day. Marsh is quite slight but he's unbelieveably talented. If he can add some muscle to his frame, he has a big future in my opinion.