Irish Under-20's 2023

It was a good win. Tough day for the props. They held up at some scrum but as the 1st half wore on the seemed to lose momentum. McErlean is some lad under the high ball. McNabney was the pick of the pack for me.

We don't have a openside, imo. Quinn is not suited for it. He's a good player, just looks out of position. We'll surely bat Scotland. England will be tough.

This squad looks to have some belters indeed. There's not much rotation. I'd like to see a few new lads get a chance.

Watching it back, Gunne did well. Gus McCarthy looked good too.

Haven’t been impressed with him so far. Can have big moments that show his promise but was expecting more overall

He played TH in school and plays both for Trinity so probably want to keep his options open. Easier (apparently) to move from TH to LH so it would limit him by changing him to LH this early.

McCarthy and Boyle are weird prospects to me - two of the most exciting players I've seen in the last few years of the Leinster Senior Cup who skittled players much bigger than themselves for fun, so I expected some growing pains as they made the move to senior level and played against heavier and stronger opposition. Both had a sort of thin frame for a prop so comparisons to Porter are off the mark for me, just google what Porter looked like to see the weight he was able to play carry at that age. Different players as well - Porter had incredible strength if his gym number rumours were anything to go by, whereas the other two are much more about explosive power.

I guess there's going to be a transition with them to slowly see what weight their bodies can handle while retaining that speed/power that their game is built around. Boyle seems to be adapting well anyway, but I reckon it won't be too long until people are wondering about switching McCarthy to LH. All comes down to the scrum probably, people generally want size in their TH but if you're a natural in the scrum or develop the technique then you're golden. Can't think of many small THs though - Owen Franks springs to mind I think, he was freakishly strong for his size as well.

Id say he's tipping closer to 120kg than he is to 112kg

There's a big gap about to open up at loosehead behind Porter in the next year or two with Healy and Kilcoyne winding down, so a senior cap in 2024 is definitely a goer for Boyle if he can progress with Leinster.

Am I right in saying all the Munster contingent are underage again next year?.. O'Connell and Gleeson def are..Think Quinn and the two Sheehans are as well.. Crazy to think Gleeson has another year of it.. Wonder if he might be fast-tracked with Munster though given his power.

Prendergast is sensational. Wasn't sure how quick he was but chased back a kick against Wales I remember and outpaced them all including some back 3 players. His 50:22 (22:22!) against Italy might be the single most sublime kick of a rugby ball I can remember.

Hugh Gavin too

It's funny, must be a visual thing because he looks very stiff at times but he has decent pace and good feet.

https://twitter.com/Murray_Kinsella/status/1546801916096782336

Hes tall. Long strides tend to look slower than they are

****, i thought he was. Thanks for the heads up.

I’m kind of disappointed he isn’t playing more then.

Would say it should be fine. Game on all weather. Could see it behind closed doors if it was risky for people travelling to venue

Team named. Molony on the bench. O'Connell starts as does Barrett. Pat McCarthy on the bench. Andrew Osborne in on the wing.

Not too much rotation.