Ireland Under 20 2018 6 Nations and World Championships

The Lost Sheep · 13-10-2017 4:11pm

RugbyRugby2016 wrote: »

If Blackrock Rugby Club could just manage to hold on to a decent percentage of the SCT players coming out of Blackrock College every year they’d seriously challenge at u20 most years

Thats a big if and if club is to improve they need to get beyond that and develop outside the rugby schools to get more playing and look to field at underage levels more.

ArmchairQB wrote: »

A lot of Blackrock school have no association with Blackrock club they have played minis and youths in other clubs

Yeah and never will unless their is better actions by the club in Stradbrook to get kids playing their post school. Same criticism could be aimed at a lot more clubs.

D14Rugby wrote: »

Most old boys clubs have lost their connection to their original schools these days in comparison to what it was bar terenure which isnt surprising considering they share grounds and coaches between the two.
Conor Dean playing for leinster a, surprising since im pretty sure he's been mostly on the bench for marys so far. O'sullivan, sylvestre and harry byrne involved too from a 20's pov.

Old Boys losing a connection compared to the past is a good thing in some respects but not good in others.
Needs to be better links for kids while in rugby schools with the clubs be it open cup competitions/closed off part of season where all rugby schools dont play and kids can represent a club

D14Rugby · 13-10-2017 6:04pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Old Boys losing a connection compared to the past is a good thing in some respects but not good in others.
Needs to be better links for kids while in rugby schools with the clubs be it open cup competitions/closed off part of season where all rugby schools dont play and kids can represent a club

I don't think its a good thing at all, these clubs have been open membership for years, if not their whole existence in some cases, so the whole idea you cant play for them if you didn't go to the school isnt really a factor, the disconnection from the schools is only harming the clubs in that past pupils are less likely to go there and it doesn't make other people more likely to go there.
The better links are as easy as what terenure and wesley have just now where club players and coaches coach in the school and in terenure the sct and 20's play each other too and that builds a connection.
As for connecting clubs and schools that arent already linked, in name at least, its still as simple as having mutual coaches, see st marys and Blackrock when smyth was at both.

D14Rugby · 13-10-2017 6:06pm

Back on topic a bit more though, first round of jp fanagan fixtures kicks off today i think, i wonder how many eligible players that have been with the senior squads will be playing, byrne, dunne, aungier, etc

The Lost Sheep · 13-10-2017 6:13pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

I don't think its a good thing at all, these clubs have been open membership for years, if not their whole existence in some cases, so the whole idea you cant play for them if you didn't go to the school isnt really a factor, the disconnection from the schools is only harming the clubs in that past pupils are less likely to go there and it doesn't make other people more likely to go there.
The better links are as easy as what terenure and wesley have just now where club players and coaches coach in the school and in terenure the sct and 20's play each other too and that builds a connection.
As for connecting clubs and schools that arent already linked, in name at least, its still as simple as having mutual coaches, see st marys and Blackrock when smyth was at both.

I see it as good thing in that links are lost to one club but it should be the case at the same time that all clubs are working with schools to keep kids playing the sport with clubs during their secondary school years and beyond. It isnt as simple as having mutual coaches but that would help. Their needs to be ways for kids in schools to play for a club while in secondary school. You will regularly see clubs mention in their club notes at the end of an u12 season and clubs saying that "its time of year again where we say goodbye to our u12s for the next 5/6 years maybe forever" and thats ridiculous.
There should be ways for kids in a rugby school whether the kid is on the schools junior/senior 1sts or 4ths and they can play together with friends they may otherwise not because their in different schools.

Brian O Driscoll talks in his autobiography of playing under 16 in Clontarf in a year he didnt really play schools rugby and this should be the case for all.

The Lost Sheep · 13-10-2017 6:28pm

D14Rugby wrote: »

Back on topic a bit more though, first round of jp fanagan fixtures kicks off today i think, i wonder how many eligible players that have been with the senior squads will be playing, byrne, dunne, aungier, etc

Unlikely many whi've played quite a bit of AIL will play but obviously a few could be involved with their clubs

Ayewserious · 13-10-2017 8:21pm

irishfan9 wrote: »

Dean only back from injury, the fact that he has been on the bench for marys won't really be a factor in selection for Leinster A, given Dean is odds on favourite to be Ireland u20 starting outhalf and is in the sub academy for the second year.

Dean played for A team last year too if I remember right.

He will 100% be starting 10 for the u20s

Ayewserious · 13-10-2017 8:22pm

Anyone no why Gavin Mullen or Jack Kelly aren't involved with Leinster A? Injured?

The Lost Sheep · 13-10-2017 8:29pm

Ayewserious wrote: »

Anyone no why Gavin Mullen or Jack Kelly aren't involved with Leinster A? Injured?

Dont know. Have they been playing club rugby much this season? Neither are under 20 this season so not relevant to this thread though.

RugbySport · 13-10-2017 10:02pm

RugbyRugby2016 wrote: »

Anyone know if Charlie Ryan is still injured or what clubs he’s with?

Ryan is with UCD. He's still injured

RugbySport · 13-10-2017 10:02pm

irishfan9 wrote: »

Conor Hayes travelling with Munster A squad, think he is cover in case of injury.

Wouldn't surprise me to see him involved with Ireland u20, Silvester favourite to be starting fullback at the moment.

My Current u20 team.

1. Joe Bryne
2. Ronan Kelleher
3. Jack Aungier
4. Ronan Coffey
5. Jack Dunne
6. Sean Masterson
7. Richard Dunne
8. Caelan Doris
9. Jonny Stewart
10. Conor Dean
11. Peter Sullivan
12. Tommy O'Brien
13. James Hume
14. Daniel Hurley
15. Michael Silvester
16. Alex Clarke
17. Jordan Duggan
18. Tom O'Toole
19. John McCusker
20. Joe Dunleavy
21. Hugh O'Sullivan
22. James Taylor
23. David McCarthy

Joe Byrne is a tight head. Can he play loose as well?

Rugby087777 · 14-10-2017 12:01am