Ireland u20 2016 6Nations/Junior World Cup

The Lost Sheep

So round 3 this weekend
Munster have beaten Ulster and Leinster and play Connacht who lost to Leinster but beat Ulster
Ulster have lost to both Munster and Connacht and travel to Dublin to face Leinster.

A Munster 'A'/Development Squad will face Ireland U20s on December 28th in Cork

bradders90

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

So round 3 this weekend
Munster have beaten Ulster and Leinster and play Connacht who lost to Leinster but beat Ulster
Ulster have lost to both Munster and Connacht and travel to Dublin to face Leinster.

A Munster 'A'/Development Squad will face Ireland U20s on December 28th in Cork

any idea on the ireland u20s squad or when we will start getting names?

The Lost Sheep

bradders90 wrote: »

any idea on the ireland u20s squad or when we will start getting names?

Too early to say for a lot of guys even with 2 rounds of interpros played. Munster will have a lot if as expected they win the interpro series Friday evening
Who do you think will be in the squad?

kingofthekong

Has anyone impressed you from the games you've seen so far ?

The Lost Sheep

kingofthekong wrote: »

Has anyone impressed you from the games you've seen so far ?

Only seen 1 20s so far.

Adam McBurney wasn't too bad. Few other Ulster guys were alright but they weren't great overall...

Tim Carroll, Alan McMahon, Matt Cosgrove and Conan O Donnell were stand outs for Connacht iirc from the game

kingofthekong

Surprised claffey didn't stand out , wonder if trayers would replace cosgrove if fit . I think the fate of this u20s team will be the same as last years being the pack are too small and will get out muscled. The u18 England captain a few years ago who captained the u18 team that beat ireland in the final was playing 7 for ospreys against munster in the weekend and was outstanding , absolutely smashed copeland at one point and then proceeded to win the penalty for copeland not releasing. He's eligible for England this year and if he's standing out at pro 12 level what hope to our backrow have against England in the six nations. England also have the enormous joe batley back again this year.

The Lost Sheep

kingofthekong wrote: »

Surprised claffey didn't stand out, wonder if trayers would replace cosgrove if fit. I think the fate of this u20s team will be the same as last years being the pack are too small and will get out muscled. The u18 England captain a few years ago who captained the u18 team that beat ireland in the final was playing 7 for ospreys against munster in the weekend and was outstanding, absolutely smashed copeland at one point and then proceeded to win the penalty for copeland not releasing. He's eligible for England this year and if he's standing out at pro 12 level what hope to our backrow have against England in the six nations. England also have the enormous joe batley back again this year.

That's from what I remember off top of my head. There was others but It was cold/wet at game and ....
That Ireland are out muscled at 20s will virtually always be the way due to how the professional set ups in each country differ and how guys are involved at a pro level etc

The Lost Sheep

Munster team to play Connacht tomorrow
Tom McHale (Rockwell College); Colm Hogan (Glenstal Abbey School), Shane Daly (Presentation Brothers College), Paul Kiernan (Captain) (UCC); Lee Molloy (Rockwell College); David O'Mahony (Young Munster), John Poland (Presentation Brothers College); Peter Meyer (Young Munster), Vincent O'Brien (Cork Constitution), Ben Betts (Young Munster); Sean O'Leary (Cork Constitution), Barra O'Byrne (Garryowen); Kelvin Browne (Shannon), Dan Walsh (Vice-Captain) (Cork Constitution), John Foley (Shannon)
Replacements: Shane Fenton (Young Munster), Shane O'Hanlon (Christian Brothers College), Rob O'Donovan (Cork Constitution), Pat Staff (Young Munster), Evan Mintern (Cork Constitution), Jamie McAleese (Glenstal Abbey School), Josh Daly (UCC), James O'Connor (Young Munster)

Connacht side not named yet AFAIK

Leinster and Ulster sides.
Leinster U20's
Jack Power (UCD RFC). Matt Byrne (Terenure College RFC), Conor O'Brien (Clontarf FC), James O'Brien (Newbridge College), Hugo Keenan (UCD RFC), Matthew Gilsenan (UCD RFC), Rowan Osbourne (Clongowes), James Bollard (Dublin University FC), John Molony (Clongowes), Adam Coyne (Naas RFC), Michael Melia (Terenure College RFC). James Ryan (St. Michael's College), Will Connors (UCD RFC), David Aspil (St Mary's College RFC), Max Deegan (Lansdowne FC)
Replacements: James Brennan (UCD RFC), Vakh Abdaladze (Clontarf FC), Greg McGrath (Lansdowne FC), Rob Lalor (Terenure College RFC), Greg Jones (UCD RFC), Nick Peters (Gonzaga College), Tommy Whittle (Dublin University FC), Terry Kennedy (St Mary's College RFC)

Ulster U20's
Robert Lytlle (Queens University Belfast RFC), Connor Kelly (Queens University Belfast RFC), Alex Kane (Queens University Belfast RFC), Kieran Joyce (Ballymena RFC), Jonny Rosborough (Ballymena RFC), Matthew McDowell (Belfast Harlequins RFC), Liam Free (Queens University Belfast RFC), Andrew Shaw (Malone RFC), Adam McBurney ((Ballymena RFC), Rory Squires (Belfast Harlequins RFC), Harry Clellan (Banbridge RFC), Hugh Sloan (Queens University Belfast RFC), Ben O'Ryan (Ballymena RFC), Lewis McNamara (Instonians RFC), Matthew Fisher (Belfast Harlequins RFC)
Replacements
Ben Halliday (Rainey RFC), Tristan King (Malone RFC), Peter Cooper (City of Derry RFC), Ronan McCusker (Rainey RFC), Ethan Harbinson (Banbridge RFC), Chris Gibson (Ballynahinch RFC), Andrew McPhilips (Belfast Harlequins RFC), Matthew Hooks (Armagh RFC)

The Lost Sheep

Munster beat Connacht 24-23 with last minute score to win first 20s/21s interpro title in a decade
Leinster beat Ulster 31-12 to finish 2nd

Any thoughts on irish squad/team now intepros are done?

bradders90

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Munster beat Connacht 24-23 with last minute score to win first 20s/21s interpro title in a decade
Leinster beat Ulster 31-12 to finish 2nd

Any thoughts on irish squad/team now intepros are done?

dont know much about people other than exiles, am rather confused as to why ulster left out academy names like j.mcphillips, byrne etc, seems odd because they are definitely eligible. thy may be injured but i doubt it

Squidgy Black

Big turn around from Connacht after being annihilated by Leinster, beat Ulster and then came very close to beating Munster who beat Leinster. Fair play.

The Lost Sheep

bradders90 wrote: »

dont know much about people other than exiles, am rather confused as to why ulster left out academy names like j.mcphillips, byrne etc, seems odd because they are definitely eligible. thy may be injured but i doubt it

Injury possibly. Want to look at others for development reasons???

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

Big turn around from Connacht after being annihilated by Leinster, beat Ulster and then came very close to beating Munster who beat Leinster. Fair play.

Connacht not used to all weather possibly??? Leinster game wasn't true reflection based on what ive seen of them the past 2 weeks.

The Lost Sheep

Munster v Connacht from Friday night
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxoO60GflSE

bradders90

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Munster v Connacht from Friday night
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxoO60GflSE

connacht pulling off a ireland vs nz performance aha

The Lost Sheep

All home 6 Nations games to be played in Donnybrook.

Shame that virtually no home internationals across all grades will now be played outside of Dublin.

Friday, February 5 - Ireland Under-20s v Wales Under-20s, 7.35pm
Friday, March 11 - Ireland Under-20s v Italy Under-20s, 7.35pm
Friday, March 18 - Ireland Under-20s v Scotland Under-20s, 7.35pm

unce09f

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

All home 6 Nations games to be played in Donnybrook.

Shame that virtually no home internationals across all grades will now be played outside of Dublin.

thankfully no more mud baths in athlone.

FrannoFan

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

All home 6 Nations games to be played in Donnybrook.

Shame that virtually no home internationals across all grades will now be played outside of Dublin.

Friday, February 5 - Ireland Under-20s v Wales Under-20s, 7.35pm
Friday, March 11 - Ireland Under-20s v Italy Under-20s, 7.35pm
Friday, March 18 - Ireland Under-20s v Scotland Under-20s, 7.35pm

pity it isn't moved around but Athlone suited very few people to attend and pitch was often a disgrace.
If similar pitches available in Galway/limerick/cork/belfast with suitable space for spectators would be great to see it played across all four provinces on a cyclical basis.

The Lost Sheep

FrannoFan wrote: »

pity it isn't moved around but Athlone suited very few people to attend and pitch was often a disgrace.
If similar pitches available in Galway/limerick/cork/belfast with suitable space for spectators would be great to see it played across all four provinces on a cyclical basis.

Sportsground/Musgrave/Ravenhill......
I just don't see it as a good thing that all internationals will be in Dublin bar the odd exception.
Yes the pitch sometimes was poor in Athlone but its rugby.... pitches will be poor sometimes. I would love to see 20s interpros being played in Cork/Limerick/Galway/Belfast every year/couple of years

FrannoFan

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Sportsground/Musgrave/Ravenhill......
I just don't see it as a good thing that all internationals will be in Dublin bar the odd exception.
Yes the pitch sometimes was poor in Athlone but its rugby.... pitches will be poor sometimes. I would love to see 20s interpros being played in Cork/Limerick/Galway/Belfast every year/couple of years

Ahhh the pitch was fairly shocking plenty of times. You can say it is rugby but these are pretty much pro's and deserve to play on a decent surface. The pitch in donnybrook guarantees that regardless of time of year.

in total agreement about moving it around. 2/3 home games a year in 6 nations-plenty of scope to move the games around all four provinces.

ArmchairQB

Would be great to have it after a senior international in the aviva

The Lost Sheep

FrannoFan wrote: »

Ahhh the pitch was fairly shocking plenty of times. You can say it is rugby but these are pretty much pro's and deserve to play on a decent surface. The pitch in donnybrook guarantees that regardless of time of year.

in total agreement about moving it around. 2/3 home games a year in 6 nations-plenty of scope to move the games around all four provinces.

Its a standard club pitch with huge footfall each week between all Buccs sides etc

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Would be great to have it after a senior international in the aviva

Doubt 20s will ever be played after. Would be good to see but Womens should be ahead of the 20s for doing that..

As no Irish 20s action - training or otherwise - for a short while. 20s league action really starting up now. AIL discussed elsewhere but 20s qualifiers in Leinster-Connacht league have began to decide how divisions 1/2/3 will be made up. Munster Donal Walsh division 1 starts Saturday week. No decision on fixtures for division 2 yet...

Dates and venues for world cup games announced.
http://www.fifteenrugby.com/england-scotland-drawn-together-in-world-rugby-u20-championship/

bradders90

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Its a standard club pitch with huge footfall each week between all Buccs sides etc

Doubt 20s will ever be played after. Would be good to see but Womens should be ahead of the 20s for doing that..

As no Irish 20s action - training or otherwise - for a short while. 20s league action really starting up now. AIL discussed elsewhere but 20s qualifiers in Leinster-Connacht league have began to decide how divisions 1/2/3 will be made up. Munster Donal Walsh division 1 starts Saturday week. No decision on fixtures for division 2 yet...

Dates and venues for world cup games announced.
http://www.fifteenrugby.com/england-scotland-drawn-together-in-world-rugby-u20-championship/

England u20's are already in training, had a weekend camp 25-28th sept.

The Lost Sheep

bradders90 wrote: »

England u20's are already in training, had a weekend camp 25-28th sept.

They have a different system so of course they are. We wont yet.

bradders90

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

They have a different system so of course they are. We wont yet.

I think their system seems to be working slightly better than ours. 3 finals in 3 years says so.

Off topic - Niall Saunders Ireland u18 clubs last year is in the Ireland u19 squad for this season, at least according to his school (he is still at epsom college in england)

The Lost Sheep

bradders90 wrote: »

I think their system seems to be working slightly better than ours. 3 finals in 3 years says so.

Off topic - Niall Saunders Ireland u18 clubs last year is in the Ireland u19 squad for this season, at least according to his school (he is still at epsom college in england)

Their system gives access to players to professional set up earlier to of course its likely to be better than ours overall. They also generally are bigger than us and have improved skills across the board recently which is evident through their recent successes...

English Lurker

bradders90 wrote: »

I think their system seems to be working slightly better than ours. 3 finals in 3 years says so.

Off topic - Niall Saunders Ireland u18 clubs last year is in the Ireland u19 squad for this season, at least according to his school (he is still at epsom college in england)

The population advantage is far more exaggerated at age grade level. Until the English's new master race of highly gifted toddlers can get the job done over yiz boys at senior level, I'll be holding judgement as to which system works better.

bilston

English Lurker wrote: »

The population advantage is far more exaggerated at age grade level. Until the English's new master race of highly gifted toddlers can get the job done over yiz boys at senior level, I'll be holding judgement as to which system works better.

Yeah it's interesting. The priority for me at U20 level is development rather than results. All you really need is three or four young players to emerge from each year, so England can have 15 stars and Ireland may only have 3 or 4, but that's all you need provided it isn't in the same position every year.

Last year was disappointing results wise for Ireland but as I just mentioned in another thread Byrne, Ringrose and Arnold we have three players with real potential so the U20s more or less served their purpose as far as I'm concerned.

That said England's strong U20s over the last few years is bound to have an impact on the senior side sooner or later, at least in terms of depth. One thing I've been thinking about England is that while you have loads of good players, I don't know if you have any absolutely outstanding players. Mike Brown is up there and I think in time Ford and Watson may well get there too and if he ever gets fit and gets his head right Tuilagi could be the best centre in the world(but that's a lot of ifs) but I don't see too many real standout players. Lots of good players and lots of depth but not too many spectacular talent.

kingofthekong

A few of the u20 lads involved in the A teams for the weekend , anyone know anything about David aspil , he's starting for leinster A , seems to have got his break due to injuries to Cregan and jonny guy

unce09f

kingofthekong wrote: »

A few of the u20 lads involved in the A teams for the weekend , anyone know anything about David aspil , he's starting for leinster A , seems to have got his break due to injuries to Cregan and jonny guy

Cregan hasn't been involved for awhile. don't expect him to be involved at a higher level anymore.

Guy's future seems to be at 6 from what I've been told.

Aspil is a good hard nosed natural openside.

unce09f

1st camp in Dublin is next week from what i'm told.

bradders90

ulster a lost quite badly to connacht eagles the other day
quite a few u20 eligible players playing for ulster (not sure about connacht) such as arnold, mcphillips, joyce, kane, busby, k mccall(?).
there may have been others playing im not sure.

unce09f

JP Fanagan (U20) - Premier 1:
Terenure College RFC 33, Blackrock College RFC 20;
Clontarf 19, Dublin University 24;
Old Belvedere 16, Lansdowne 27;
UCD 74, Buccaneers 0;

Lansdowne had Max Deegan at 8. No one else really in that team that will be contenders for irish u20.

The Lost Sheep

Donal Walsh division 1 games from weekend. Only 3 games played
Cork Constitution 70 Highfield 8
Garryowen 31 Sundays Well 15
UCC 13 Shannon 13
Bruff and Dolphin called off as Dolphin pulling out of the league

Division 2 doesn't start for a month or so. Only 5 teams competing so far...

turtleshead

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Donal Walsh division 1 games from weekend. Only 3 games played
Cork Constitution 70 Highfield 8
Garryowen 31 Sundays Well 15
UCC 13 Shannon 13
Bruff and Dolphin called off as Dolphin pulling out of the league

Division 2 doesn't start for a month or so. Only 5 teams competing so far...

Hard to see past Con's again this year.

Young Munster beat Old Crescent 28-12 in the same competition, not sure why scores are not updated by the branch perhaps ref still hadn't submitted the score.

The Lost Sheep

turtleshead wrote: »

Hard to see past Con's again this year.

Young Munster beat Old Crescent 28-12 in the same competition, not sure why scores are not updated by the branch perhaps ref still hadn't submitted the score.

Ref inputting their form/match report wouldn't stop score being reported on website. Delay in website being updated much more likely to inaction by Teams/competition organiser

bradders90

anyone else see the independant.ie article about the IRFU getting rid of the Ireland Schools and Ireland Clubs teams and instead having 2 sides that combine both. An A side (for the obviously better players) and a B side.
I personally absolutely welcome this move and the fact that the irfu have gone to make this change shows you how well clubs rugby is progressing. I'll be happy with 7/8 out of a squad of 23 being from a clubs background.

The schools thread hasnt really got going yet so i thought i would post it here as it would recieve more attention that this news deserves.

WHat do you guys think about this change?
ps it hasnt been officially confirmed yet.

unce09f

Probably means less club players play national u18 rugby.

But that the best club players/exiles will be alongside the best schools players.

The Lost Sheep

bradders90 wrote: »

anyone else see the independant.ie article about the IRFU getting rid of the Ireland Schools and Ireland Clubs teams and instead having 2 sides that combine both. An A side (for the obviously better players) and a B side.
I personally absolutely welcome this move and the fact that the irfu have gone to make this change shows you how well clubs rugby is progressing. I'll be happy with 7/8 out of a squad of 23 being from a clubs background.

The schools thread hasnt really got going yet so i thought i would post it here as it would recieve more attention that this news deserves.

WHat do you guys think about this change?
ps it hasnt been officially confirmed yet.

Good sign and I think there will be more than 7/8 in a combined squad coming from the clubs set up
For the first time ever we will have the strongest side competing in the FIRA u18 championships

bradders90

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Good sign and I think there will be more than 7/8 in a combined squad coming from the clubs set up

Really? i dont have huge knowledge of irish school[club]boy rugby and from what i understood club rugby was still a little way of school level.
Wonder how this will impact the exiles, the standard coming over will be higher i think now .
Exciting time.
and completely agree with you over the fira-aer tournament excited to see how we do now against the likes of england and france.

RobbieRuns

Can't see anyone breaking the dominance of Leinster schools at that age level. The schools in Leinster are the benchmark at U18 age grade.

The Lost Sheep

bradders90 wrote: »

Really? i dont have huge knowledge of irish school[club]boy rugby and from what i understood club rugby was still a little way of school level.
Wonder how this will impact the exiles, the standard coming over will be higher i think now. Exciting time.
and completely agree with you over the fira-aer tournament excited to see how we do now against the likes of england and france.

Depends on what we're talking about but top club sides are at/near plenty of sides who compete in schools cups....
Will be particularly interesting in FIRA comp. It was a joke that irish clubs didn't have a competition to play in when schools were moved into FIRA and it will be good to see a full u18 side compete in that comp for the first time

RobbieRuns wrote: »

Can't see anyone breaking the dominance of Leinster schools at that age level. The schools in Leinster are the benchmark at U18 age grade.

Topic better discussed in general schools thread here????

The Lost Sheep

RFU have named an extended 32 man squad for this season
http://www.englandrugby.com/news/england-u20-name-elite-player-squad/

Doubt we'll see confirmed Irish squad for another while

The Lost Sheep

RFU have named an extended 32 man squad for this season
http://www.englandrugby.com/news/england-u20-name-elite-player-squad/

Doubt we'll see confirmed Irish squad for another while

bradders90

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

RFU have named an extended 32 man squad for this season
http://www.englandrugby.com/news/england-u20-name-elite-player-squad/

Doubt we'll see confirmed Irish squad for another while

Swear to god Jack Walker has been u20 since 2012?
He must have been like 17 when he first played for england u20s if hes still eligible.

The Lost Sheep

bradders90 wrote: »

Swear to god Jack Walker has been u20 since 2012?
He must have been like 17 when he first played for england u20s if hes still eligible.

Not 2012 but close enough...
2016 will be his third year playing 20s international rugby

English Lurker

bradders90 wrote: »

Swear to god Jack Walker has been u20 since 2012?
He must have been like 17 when he first played for england u20s if hes still eligible.

Yup, it's his third year with the squad. Imagine he'll be captain.

Heard a lot of these names talked up, there seems to be a lot of optimism about last year's U18s. Obvious name to pick out is Mat Protheroe who went straight outta school onto a professional contract at Glaws and is already being talked about as a potential Japan 2019 starter. A lot of players I keep hear getting mentioned though.

bilston

Who are the U20s players to look out for us this year?

I know about Arnold and Stockdale up at Ulster who are back again, but who else is there?

Any scrum halves of note?

bayern1900

bilston wrote: »

Who are the U20s players to look out for us this year?

I know about Arnold and Stockdale up at Ulster who are back again, but who else is there?

Any scrum halves of note?

Not an outstanding year talent wise by the interpros, a lot of good players but very few who standout right now as future provincial stars.

James Ryan, Andrew Porter & Max Deegan are players to keep an eye on from Leinster.

Ulster wise, it's a weak year - Adam McBurney should be 1st choice hooker.
Bill Johnston from Munster seems to be highly rated.

Weak year for scrumhalves, nothing new there, John Poland from Munster will probably be 1st choice.

Guessing a team:

1. Andrew Porter(Leinster)*
2. Adam McBurney(Ulster)*
3. Conan O'Donnell(Connacht)*
4. Peter Claffey(Connacht)
5. James Ryan(Leinster)
6. Will Connors(Leinster)
7. Kelvin Browne(Munster)
8. Max Deegan(Leinster)
9. John Poland(Munster)
10. Bill Johnston(Munster)
11. Matthew Byrne(Leinster)
12. Paul Kiernan(Munster)
13. Sam Arnold(Ulster)*
14. Jacob Stockdale(Ulster)*
15. Jack Power(Leinster)

hype101

Is Conor Nash u18 again this year. I've heard very good things about him. Huge for his age.

The Lost Sheep

hype101 wrote: »

Is Conor Nash u18 again this year. I've heard very good things about him. Huge for his age.

Is Under 18. Is very good. Saw him against Both Munster and Connacht. Depends on what he concentrates on. Has played minor football with Meath and AFL sides have been looking at him