The Uncapped Back Row “Stocktake” - 2020 & Beyond

Granny15 wrote: »

The fact he hasn’t responded or defended his position to me shows that he was stirring things up and was happy to sit back and watch his blatant wind ups unleashed on this forum.

How do you know I didn’t grow up with Penny or that he’s not my neighbour or cousin? Of course people will have horses in the race and to say we are one team and there is no internal competition kumbayah is naive and in fact I think it’s a further attempt to wind some supporters up.

When a players dreams and contracts and his professional career and his chance to have the honour of representing his country and to do it honourably is on the line you’re damn right people will get defensive/aggressive.

If you’re from a similar background or place as someone you’re damn right you’re going to back their corner and fight for it till the bitter end. That’s all I’m doing. I’m sorry if it doesn’t mean as much to you but it does to me.

It means a lot to people to represent your country and I want the right and deserving player to get that.

Yep, agreed with all of that. Gleeson probably the standout in the pack and has another year at this level. Very impressive.

McNabney is probably our (ulster) best backrow prospect in quite a while, but that doesn't necessarily mean much.

Thought Quinn wasn't quite as advertised, but it looked to me like he was hampered by playing openside because we had nobody else to. Played much better when he got the ball wider and, as you say, showcased a bit of his abrasiveness out wide.

I think Quinn will look better the way munster play than u20. He looks almost like a direct analogue to hodnett’s role while gleeson is to coombes.

A back five of edogbo, ahern, gleeson, coombes and hodnett a couple of years from now is pretty big and nasty, with kendellan, o connell and quinn on the bench. These things never actually work out like that but it is interesting.

You might be right about coming out of school, but he's one of the best u20 players we've had in the last 10 years imo. He played for a poor side, but I can't think of a forward that's stood out as well as him since his campaign. Ryan Baird was very eye-catching and John Hodnett was immense as well, but none were as impactful as Doris for me. Gleeson was very good this year and has another year to go at this level. Probably missing a few players.

I thought Kendellan's performances in the summer of 2021 were the best I've seen from an Irish u20. Put the team on his back, scored 6 tries in 5 games, and carried, tackled, and jackalled everything in sight.

That being said, Doris, Culhane, and Gleeson were/are all more exciting prospects at 8 for me, as they clearly have the frame for the position at senior level.

He made the world cup

Coombes might be the biggest success story recently of guys who weren’t really that highly rated who turned out to be great players. Keenan tops that list I’d guess.

He made the world cup squad and played in that world cup but not the six nations. I think he’s a good call for that.

From what i’ve heard the concern with him was if he could be an acceptable scrummager at that height.

I’m not sure but fantastic decision. I know its a rumour that john hodnett was asked to try hooker. I think sheehan is what can happen (the absolute best case) when that kind of athlete chooses hooker.

Man, well done him then.