U20 Six Nations

[Draggs]

Forwards: *Ellis Jenkins (capt, Blues / Cardiff), *Nicky Smith (Ospreys / Swansea), *Dan Suter (Ospreys / Bridgend), *Nicky Thomas (Ospreys / Swansea), *Bradley Thyer (Blues / Pontypridd), Ethan Lewis (Blues / Cardiff), *Elliot Dee (Bedwas), Carwyn Jones (Scarlets / Carmarthen), *Jack Jones (Ospreys / Rovigo), *Rhodri Hughes (Ospreys / Swansea), *Ieuan Jones (Dragons / Newport), *Daniel Thomas (Scarlets / Llanelli), *Sion Bennett (Scarlets / Carmarthen), *James Benjamin (Bedwas)
Backs: *Rhodri Williams (Scarlets / Llandovery), Joshua Davies (Dragons / Bedwas), *Rhys Patchell (Blues / Cardiff), Ethan Davies (Bedwas), *Cory Allen (Blues / Cardiff), Steffan Hughes (Scarlets / Llanelli), *Jack Dixon (Dragons / Bedwas), *Thomas Pascoe (Blues / Pontypridd), Ashton Hewitt (Dragons / Newport), Dion Jones (Scarlets / Llanelli), *Harry Robinson (Blues / Cardiff), *Ashley Evans (Ospreys / Bridgend), *Hallam Amos (Dragons / Bedwas)

*Indicated National Academy Member

http://www.cardiffblues.com/news/6202.php

A few of our nippers involved. 4 Dragons in the backs, and unattached Ethan Davies of Bedwas. (EDIT, Ethan is a member of the Dragons academy along with Elliot Dee and James Benjamin)
8 Dragons in total.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

England:

England U-20s Elite Player Squad 2012-13
* Capped at Under 20 level
Forwards
Dominic Barrow (Leeds Carnegie)*
Jack Clifford (Harlequins)*
Luke Cowan Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)*
Max Crumpton (Saracens)*
Matt Hankin (Saracens)
Alec Hepburn (London Wasps)*
Tom Jubb (Saracens)
Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby)
Nathan Morris (London Wasps)*
Tom Price (Leicester Tigers)*
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)*
David Sisi (London Irish)*
Scott Spurling (Saracens)*
Elliott Stooke (Gloucester Rugby)*
Harry Wells (Leicester Tigers)
Scott Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)
Backs
Jack Arnott (Exeter Chiefs)
Callum Braley (Bristol Rugby)
Tom Collins (Northampton Saints)
Alex Day (Northampton Saints)*
Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby)
Nathan Fowles (Sale Sharks)
Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs)*
Will Hooley (Northampton Saints)
Ben Howard (Worcester Warriors)
Mark Jennings (Sale Sharks)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Henry Purdy (Leicester Tigers)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)*
Harry Sloan (Harlequins)
Tom Stephenson (Northampton Saints)
Anthony Watson (London Irish)*



There's a lot of experience in that squad, at U20 level, premiership and even Heineken Cup.

 

[Peat]

That squad should be like a train without brakes, virtually all of the pack has been there before and are now back a year bigger, better and meaner, in particular LCD and Sinckler is a brutal combination at this level (although apparently Exeter are moving Television to hooker) while there's some serious talent in the back-line - Watson is the obvious name, but all of the Exeter players have big reputations, Jennings and Fowles have been playing a lot, Braley's meant to be a big talent...

Fingers crossed.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

This is the first time, in a while, we haven't had a "name"/experience at 10 - we've had Farrell, Ford and Heathcote knocking around over the past few years.
Slade is there, from last year, but I know next to nothing about him, and then even less about Devoto and Hooley (read: Nothing at all).
Any ideas?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

There are some nice players in this age bracket for Ireland. Robbie Henshaw, Adam Byrne, Chris Farrell, Stuart Olding and Luke McGrath have already made their provincial debuts among the backs. The pack could be a bit green which will be to Ireland's downfall. Edward Byrne, Ryan Murphy and Josh van der Flier probably stand out in that area of the team.

 

[big ginger 8]

Believe Adam Byrne will be injured unfortunately. Since he came through the clubs seems like he's come from nowhere built like a brick shithouse younger brothers on United as well. Think Leavy will play?

 

[Peat]

This is the first time, in a while, we haven't had a "name"/experience at 10 - we've had Farrell, Ford and Heathcote knocking around over the past few years.
Slade is there, from last year, but I know next to nothing about him, and then even less about Devoto and Hooley (read: Nothing at all).
Any ideas?

Slade played last year for the U20s and is meant to have plenty of potential, looked as good as Heathcote last year. Plenty of Championship experience at least. Pass of Devoto and Hooley.


Snoopy - Conor Joyce has also made his senior debut, know a few Malone men who are very impressed by him. Oh and apparently Byrne is injured as well as Farrell.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I think Edward Byrne may be injured too. I'd also imagine Robbie Henshaw will remain with Connacht and won't play in the 6 Nations either. That's not a bad thing, he'll learn more in the Pro 12 than he will playing against fellow age grade prospects. Didn't realise Conor Joyce made his Ulster debut yet- that's encouraging.

Yeah, I suspect Dan Leavy will play. The backrow could be competitive.

All in all, I don't hold out too much hope for this age group in the championship. Next year and the following year (an exceptional bunch of u18s) should be better. I'd like to see a few tight five forwards emerge with credit, Leavy, Thornbury and Adam Byrne (should he play) put down a marker for next year when they'll again be eligible (I think) and McGrath and Olding showcase their undoubted promise at halfback.

 

[Peat]

Pfft. This year group beat us in the European championships at u18 level. No excuses!

And Joyce was part of the suicide squad sent down to play Leinster last season. Been a Ravens ever-present ever since.

 

[Peat]

Finally, an Ireland squad

http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/28204.php

Just the match day squad, they're really being secretive beyond all belief this year, lot of injuries from the looks of it and, for the first time in forever, Leinster are not the biggest contributors.

 

[lucky number 7]

Played with and against Tom Daly solid player , Never seen him play at this level however will be interesting to see.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Luke McGrath and Stuart Olding would be a pretty damn solid 9-10 combo, but aside from that not too many areas would stand out. I have pretty high hopes for Gavin Thornbury, so it'd be nice to see him put in a decent shift, while Josh Van Der Flier is supposed to have a bit about him. Aside from that there aren't many of the guys I know too well, comes from being out of the loop I guess. Darren Sweetnam was a fine hurler, would have been an excellent addition to the Cork senior panel for the foreseeable future, so he'd want to be pretty tasty.

 

[Draggs]

Wonder what kind of team we will see.
I don't know much about our front row, but beyond that I could see:
04 Jones
05 Hughes
06 Bennett
07 Jenkins
08 Jones

09 Williams
10 Patchell
11 Robinson
12 Dixon
13 Allen
14 Jones/Hewitt
15 Amos

 

[Peat]

Luke McGrath and Stuart Olding would be a pretty damn solid 9-10 combo, but aside from that not too many areas would stand out. I have pretty high hopes for Gavin Thornbury, so it'd be nice to see him put in a decent shift, while Josh Van Der Flier is supposed to have a bit about him. Aside from that there aren't many of the guys I know too well, comes from being out of the loop I guess. Darren Sweetnam was a fine hurler, would have been an excellent addition to the Cork senior panel for the foreseeable future, so he'd want to be pretty tasty.

Wouldn't even bank on that, there's three guys who can play 10 in that squad that I can see, possibly four, and given that Olding's played all over the backline I'd expect him to either be 13 or 15. Believe O'Meara played 10 in at least one of the warm-up games.

edit: Except apparently O'Meara's naturally a back three player... I'm confused.

 

[big ginger 8]

Definitely not the best team we could field be interesting to see how it goes.

 

[dullonien]

Wonder what kind of team we will see.
I don't know much about our front row, but beyond that I could see:
04 Jones
05 Hughes
06 Bennett
07 Jenkins
08 Jones

09 Williams
10 Patchell
11 Robinson
12 Dixon
13 Allen
14 Jones/Hewitt
15 Amos

That backline is quite something at this age level. Hopefully they are supplied enough ball by the forwards and we can see what they are capable of. It's a better backline than the ones of the Blues and Dragons have been putting out for much of the season tbh.

 

[psychic duck]

That backline is quite something at this age level. Hopefully they are supplied enough ball by the forwards and we can see what they are capable of. It's a better backline than the ones of the Blues and Dragons have been putting out for much of the season tbh.

No it's not. Only Patchell would be a vital addition to either regions' backline. Otherwise they could both field much better backlines not including those players.

The 2012 U20's backline if it was fully available would have been far better than this one.

9. Jonathan Evans/Tom Habberfield
10. Matthew Morgan
11. Eli Walker/Harry Robinson
12.
13.
14. George North
15. Tom Prydie/Ross Jones

Of course, North wasn't available of course though. And the centres aren't much special either.

 

[Draggs]

Save for Rhodri Williams and Dion Jones, those are Blues/Dragons backlines!

 

[dullonien]

No it's not. Only Patchell would be a vital addition to either regions' backline. Otherwise they could both field much better backlines not including those players.

The 2012 U20's backline if it was fully available would have been far better than this one.

9. Jonathan Evans/Tom Habberfield
10. Matthew Morgan
11. Eli Walker/Harry Robinson
12.
13.
14. George North
15. Tom Prydie/Ross Jones

Of course, North wasn't available of course though. And the centres aren't much special either.

Patchell is a better 10 than the Dragons have at their disposal, and despite Allen's lack of game time at the Blues (wrongly imo) I'd have him very close to the quality of the other Dragons centres. Not convinced with Hughes there, whilst Ashley Smith has fallen from grace, and Tuilagi doesn't pass. I think Rhodri Williams is an excellent young scrum half, especially at this level where his sniping will cause issues in the defence.

Ultimately the Blues have been playing Gavin Evans and Dafydd Hewitt in the centres for much of the season, where I'd have Dixon and Allen above both.

My comment was slightly tongue in cheek, but this backline isn't too far off tbh.

That 2012 backline never played. North was in the full Welsh squad, and it's only really during/since the U20 6N/WC that the likes of Jonathan Evans and Ross Jones really caught the eye. Granted Habberfield, Walker, Robinson, Morgan and Prydie were already known about prior. The last backline I can remember which possessed so many potential stars was the '08 one with Webb, Biggar, Jon Davies, Gareth Owen, Tovey and Halfpenny, and back then only Biggar was really on the radar pre-tournament.

 

[Peat]

Just to add to Irish optimism, looks like Ulster will be asking to keep Olding for this game (and will probably get him).

Also, the English games against France, Scotland and Italy will all be televised. Not sure about the Mini-Micks and Tiny Taffs.