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Ireland Under-20 2024 Team

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    #1922
    Clo-Clo
    Registered Users Posts: 5,277 ✭✭✭Clo-Clo


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122385026#Comment_122385026

    They missed out on a 6 nations because of a game v italy and not getting a try bonus, with England and France away, not losing a game
    They got to a semi in the U20 WC

    Look like a decent bunch to me



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    #1923
    arsebiscuits1
    Registered Users Posts: 3,619 ✭✭✭arsebiscuits1


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122385026#Comment_122385026

    Gleeson was also there last year. Why are they different?



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    #1924
    Dubinusa
    Registered Users Posts: 8,555 ✭✭✭Dubinusa


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122386465#Comment_122386465

    I know he's been there before. I just consider the new players.



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    #1925
    arsebiscuits1
    Registered Users Posts: 3,619 ✭✭✭arsebiscuits1


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122387028#Comment_122387028

    I'm a bit confused by your wording then.

    You say you don't consider there to be any international quality among this group bar Gleeson.

    Why do you specify Gleeson in this case and not Gavin?



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    #1926
    Dubinusa
    Registered Users Posts: 8,555 ✭✭✭Dubinusa


    Of this year's panel including lads from last year, I would say that Gleeson and Gavin appear to have the most potential. I reckon both will be international players.

    For the remainder I think there's a glut of players who will be utc level players. Specifically, Hugo McLaughlin, O'Connor, Berman, Sheahan, Walker, Hopes, McKillop and Jack Murphy.

    Players I rate that could be possible higher level than the URC. Evan O'Connell, Tracy, Coffey, Ward and Edogbo.

    I've no opinion formed solidly on lads available for next season. Usanov, Murphy, Calvey and Corrigan.

    Spicer to me is a long term project. No idea how he'll develop.

    Players who I think will struggle to make it as pro players, Naughton, Brophy, Boyd, Bell and Smyth.

    Time will tell. The props in particular are tough to gauge. None of them impressed me. But that's the nature of this age group. Ruben Maloney and Colbert are possibles and injury issues leave them short of having an opinion.



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    #1927
    realhorrorshow
    Registered Users Posts: 1,967 ✭✭✭realhorrorshow


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122387098#Comment_122387098

    I'd fancy Smyth to have a better pro career than someone like James McCormick, who was much more polished at the same age, but not the same calibre of athlete. Spicer to me showed clear improvement from the 6N in his fitness and skills, but would like to see him win a lot more contacts next season.



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    #1928
    FtD v2
    Registered Users Posts: 165 ✭✭FtD v2


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122387028#Comment_122387028

    I think the point he was making is that Hugh Gavin & Brian Gleeson's situations are identical - they're both 2 year U20s who played a big role last season and this season.

    You seemed to imply you were assessing them differently in the following post:

    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122384620#Comment_122384620



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    #1929
    arsebiscuits1
    Registered Users Posts: 3,619 ✭✭✭arsebiscuits1


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122387182#Comment_122387182

    I think a player of Smyths physicality and size is worth a look for sure.

    Might need some 1A rugby going forward which would mean a move from Wesley. Hard to say how much senior game time he'd get in Lansdowne, Tarf, Marys, Nure or UCD though. All have pretty good options at hooker. But I'm sure some conversations have taken place.

    Spicer still playing like he's a year young which he is. Evan O'Connell didn't get all the headlines last year either.

    Any player I can think of in recent times whose had 2 years at this age grade has immeasurably improved in their second year. Spicer will be no different if fitness allows.

    I agree with you about his improvement from 6N though. He's in this years academy intake so some full academy s&c combined with plenty of AIL rugby will do him wonders next year.



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