URC Round 8: Munster vs. Leinster - 26/12/2023

If it hits your head and goes forward or if it hits your leg and goes forward it's not a knock on but if it hits your body or your hands/ arms and goes forward it is.

My understanding anyway.

Good cameo by Tom Clarkson too. Seems to be progressing well

I think Kendellan a talented guy but probably lacking a bit of power still to make his presence felt at the top end. Sometimes guys develop that power and robustness after they break through though.

I've gone on at length about this in the past but Irish rugby produces so many guys of his size and shape that are automatically put to No. 8 at underage level to get them carrying as often as possible.

We produce so many back row guys who are on that 100-108kg bracket who are approximately 6'2".

In top end rugby, they're only really going to be able to survive at openside and, even then, they'll need a stand out ability to make the cut. We already have VDF, Hodnett and Hurley Langton as first choice opensides in that bracket. Hard to know who is the first choice openside at Ulster although Timoney played the European games there and is a bit of a physical freak, weighing 114kg but having the speed of a centre.

But that leaves lads like Kendellan, Crothers, Rea, Reffell, Jack Daly, Jack O'Sullivan, Martin Moloney, Scott Penny, Paul Boyle, Conor Oliver, Sean O'Brien and Jarrad Butler all in that bracket.

I don't think any of the above really have a sufficient point of difference (SOB might well do) at this point to make me think they'll be a test player or up to the demands of top end European rugby.

It's good to see guys like Ahern and Baird move to flanker in recent times but some of the above players would have been better served moving to different positions earlier in their careers, away from the back row.

I dunno..I'd say a few of the above guys definitely had the pace to play inside centre. I think Penny could have been quite good there and he does play there on some launch plays for Leinster. Keep in mind, they'd probably be 5kg lighter if playing in the backs.

Hooker is the obvious one for a few guys. 105-110kg appears completely normal for hookers. Can't argue if the parents won't allow them play there but I'm not sure that's too common in reality.