Academy 2018/2019

[neiliog93]

some rumours going around that Scott Penny may convert to hooker, i'm skeptical.

Jimmy O'Brien and Hugo Keenan part of 7's side who came 9th and won the challenge trophy, O'Brien got a try in the final.

Hard to know how either will filter back into leinster..

If we were to qualify for the 2019-20 Sevens World Series, would these guys have the option of going 'full-time' in Sevens? (Or at least, full time for the 5-6 month duration of the Sevens season). From what Nucifora has said on the matter, the IRFU are very committed to it in the long-term.

[mildlyinterested]

I think because Keenan and O'Brien are in the academy next season, they will be focusing on 15's this season.

[mildlyinterested]

Leinster u17 schools defeated a US side 41-21 yesterday.

[mildlyinterested]

rumours that Jack Aungier has moved to Terenure and Harry Byrne has moved to Lansdowne.

Also rumoured Michael Milne is joining Clontarf, Ryan Baird headed to DUFC and Scott Penny to UCD.

[mildlyinterested]

Returning players preview:

Jack Aungier(19/Prop) was pretty disappointing overall I thought for under-20's, needs to have a big season with Nure. Looks slim for a TH Prop, wonder if they are thinking about moving him over to LH.

Ronan Kelleher(20/Hooker) was a standout for the under-20's, will be hoping to stay injury free, if he does, then he should get senior gametime this season.

Oisin Dowling(21/Lock-Blindside) had a fairly quiet season, was behind Kearney/Nagle for majority of A team games. Wonder will we see him play some 6 this season. Needs a big season.

Hugh O'Sullivan(20/Scrumhalf) improved as the season went on in his first full season at scrumhalf in several years. Will look to keep improving this season with more game time at the position.

Ciaran Frawley(20/Outhalf-Centre-Fullback) impressed in senior game time at 12 and 10, after playing some 15 earlier in the season. Now 3rd choice 10 and will hopefully continue to impress. Should get a lot of game time.

Conor O'Brien(22/Centre) was hit and miss in his senior opportunities last season, will need to impress when given a chance this season, will be up against T Daly for limited minutes at 12. Needs a big season.

Jimmy O'Brien(21/Centre) spent the vast majority of last season playing 7's. How much AIL/15's will he play this season?

Gavin Mullin(20/Centre) surprisingly made his debut last season, interesting to see how he develops.

Tommy O'Brien(20/Centre-Wing) was good if not outstanding for under-20's, interested to see what position he starts the season playing, has experience at wing and both centre positions.

Hugo Keenan(220/Back Three) spent the vast majority of last season playing 7's. How much AIL/15's will he play this season?

Jack Kelly(20/Back Three) had an injury disrupted season and struggled for consistency upon return. Needs a big season to re-affirm potential.

[hugonaut]

Returning players preview:

Jack Aungier(19/Prop) was pretty disappointing overall I thought for under-20's, needs to have a big season with Nure. Looks slim for a TH Prop, wonder if they are thinking about moving him over to LH.

Ronan Kelleher(20/Hooker) will be hoping to stay injury free, if he does, then he should get senior gametime this season.

Oisin Dowling(21/Lock-Blindside) had a fairly quiet season, was behind Kearney/Nagle for majority of A team games. Wonder will we see him play some 6 this season.

Hugh O'Sullivan(20/Scrumhalf) improved as the season went on in his first full season at scrumhalf in several years. Will look to keep improving this season with more game time at the position.

Ciaran Frawley(20/Outhalf-Centre-Fullback) impressed in senior game time at 12 and 10, after playing some 15 earlier in the season. Now 3rd choice 10 and will hopefully continue to impress. Should get a lot of game time.

Conor O'Brien(22/Centre) was hit and miss in his senior opportunities last season, will need to impress when given a chance this season, will be up against T Daly for limited minutes at 12.

Jimmy O'Brien(21/Centre) spent the vast majority of last season playing 7's. How much AIL/15's will he play this season?

Gavin Mullin(20/Centre) surprisingly made his debut last season, interesting to see how he develops.

Tommy O'Brien(20/Centre-Wing) interested to see what position he starts the season playing, has experience at wing and both centre positions.

Hugo Keenan(220/Back Three) spent the vast majority of last season playing 7's. How much AIL/15's will he play this season?

Jack Kelly(20/Back Three) had an injury disrupted season and struggled for consistency upon return. Needs a big season to re-affirm potential.

Thought that Aungier was good in the Six Nations and bad at the World Cup. Lots of rugby ability [a good passer and a good runner] but had a hard time in the second tournament at his primary set piece. Interesting to see how he progresses this year – he'll get plenty of games at 'A' level and in Terenure with Heffernan and Loughman gone from the set-up.

Kelleher is very talented – athletically, he looks to have the most potential of a Leinster born-and-bred hooker of the professional era. He's got the combination of good size, quickness and power that you would look for in a potential test player. I think his general play is very good, but the sample size is very small with regards to making any calls on scrummaging or throwing. Would be hoping for him to get 1+5/2+4 type exposure in November/February/March. Bryan Byrne did well in the second half of the season [and scored four tries in seven games in that period] but was very streaky up until then, so the third spot could be contentious.

[wixfjord]

Jeez do you think so?

I'd have an outside bet on Byrne jumping to second in the pecking order ahead of JT.

[riocard911]

Jeez do you think so?

I'd have an outside bet on Byrne jumping to second in the pecking order ahead of JT.

I agree. He certainly left a greater impression on me last season than James Tracey.

[mildlyinterested]

If BB maintains form from end of last season, he will push Tracy for his position, although they are very different players.

[Ruckedtobits]

If BB maintains form from end of last season, he will push Tracy for his position, although they are very different players.

Don't think so. Byrne seems to lose his throwing accuracy / concentration when he moves up to scrummage at the higher level. Contributions with ball in hand are great but if you can't perform your basics at the highest level you screw up an entire team.

JT may not inject quite so much buzz with his carrying but he really contributes in scrums & mauls and his throwing has become more and more consistent over the last season.

However, I'm with @Hugonaut in considering Kelleher has the highest ceiling of the three of them and am looking forward to his continuing development this Season.

[mildlyinterested]

If BB maintains form from end of last season, he will push Tracy for his position, although they are very different players.

Don't think so. Byrne seems to lose his throwing accuracy / concentration when he moves up to scrummage at the higher level. Contributions with ball in hand are great but if you can't perform your basics at the highest level you screw up an entire team.

Obviously he won't push him if he cant be accurate but thought 2nd half of last season, he showed signs of doing it.

[mildlyinterested]

Incoming Academy players:

Michael Milne(18-19/Prop) - very impressive for Roscrea in senior cup, constant at TH Prop for Ireland u19. Will be looking to nail down U20 starting position this season.

Jack Dunne(19/Lock) - was a constant for Ireland under-20 at TH Lock, steady without any particularly notable performances. strong for DUFC in AIL.

Ryan Baird(19/Lock) - very impressive for St. Michaels in senior cup, missed large part of Ireland u19 due to injury. Will be looking to nail down U20 starting position this season.

Scott Penny(18-19/Openside) - very impressive for St. Michaels in senior cup, standout for Ireland u19. Will be looking to nail down U20 starting position this season.

Paddy Patterson(19-20/Scrumhalf) - only 1 sub appearance for Ireland u20, played some AIL for UCD. Probably the luckiest to get his academy place in the group, will need a big season to prove himself worth his spot.

Harry Byrne(19/Outhalf) - up and down for Ireland u20, but clear 1st choice 10 as a u19, played a good bit of AIL for UCD. Faces strong competition for Ireland u20, could be with Leinster during six nations due to depth concerns.

Michael Silvester(20/Back Three) - decent season for Ireland u20 at fullback, and good for DUFC in AIL. Could see him playing some 7's this season.

Aaron O'Sullivan(18/Back Three) - very impressive when playing for Leinster in trial game, made senior appearance for Wasps. Will be looking to nail down U20 starting position this season.

[mildlyinterested]

Academy broken down by age class:

1996
Conor O'Brien
Jimmy O'Brien
Hugo Keenan
1997
Oisin Dowling
Ciaran Frawley
Gavin Mullin
Jack Kelly
1998
Jack Aungier
Ronan Kelleher
Jack Dunne
Hugh O'Sullivan
Paddy Patterson
Tommy O'Brien
1999
Michael Milne
Ryan Baird
Scott Penny
Aaron O'Sullivan

[mildlyinterested]

Ulster U20/Academy v Leinster U20/Academy, Friday 31st August, 6.00pm at Malone RFC
Ulster U19 v Leinster U19, Saturday 15th September, Time TBC at Newforge
Ulster U18 Schools v Leinster U18 Schools, Wednesday 22nd August, 1.00pm at University of Limerick
Ulster U18 Clubs v Leinster U18 Clubs, Wednesday 22nd August, 1.00pm at University of Limerick

[mildlyinterested]

Possible U20 XV:

1. Nial McEniff(St. Marys)
2. John McKee(Campbell)
3. Michael Milne(Roscrea)
4. Ryan Baird(St. Michaels)
5. Charles Ryan(Blackrock)
6. Michael McGagh(Blackrock)
7. Scott Penny(St. Michaels)
8. Martin Moloney(Athy)
9. Cormac Foley(St. Gerards)
10. David Hawkshaw(Belvedere)
11. Aaron O'Sullivan(UCD)
12. David Ryan(St. Michaels)
13. Liam Turner(Blackrock)
14. Ruairi Shields(St. Marys)
15. Conor Kelly(Roscrea/Clontarf)

[mildlyinterested]

Possible U19 XV:

1. Marcus Hanan(Clane RFC)
2. Ethan Baxter(St. Gerards)
3. Charlie Ward(Tullow RFC)
4. Sean O'Brien(Blackrock)
5. Cian Prendergast(Newbridge)
6. Jody Booth(St. Michaels)
7. Anthony Ryan(Clongowes)
8. Ed Brennan(Blackrock)
9. Shane Murphy(Skerries RFC)
10. Paddy McKenzie(Wicklow RFC)
11. Mark O'Brien(St. Michaels)
12. Mick O'Gara(Pres Bray)
13. Ross McInnes(Terenure)
14. Andrew Smith(St. Michaels)
15. Max O'Reilly(St. Gerards)

[mildlyinterested]

Possible u18 Schools XV:

1. Jack Boyle(St. Michaels)
2. Lee Barron(St. Michaels)
3. Hugo O'Malley(Blackrock)
4. Aaron Deegan(Terenure)
5. Max Mellet(Castleknock)
6. Jonathan Fish(St. Michaels)
7. Will Hickey(St. Michaels)
8. Barry Dooley(Clongowes)
9. Ben Murphy(Pres Bray)
10. David Wilkinson(Clongowes)
11. Josh Pyper(Pres Bray)
12. Arthur Henry(Gonzaga)
13. Chris Cosgrave(St. Michaels)
14. Matt Grogan(Belvedere)
15. Ed Kelly(St. Michaels)

[mildlyinterested]

Rumoured u20 squad:

Props
Michael Milne(Roscrea) - Academy Year 1
Thomas Clarkson(Blackrock) - u19
Roman Salanoa(Old Belvedere)
Niall McEniff(St. Marys/St. Marys)
Giuseppe Coyne(Blackrock/DUFC)
Chris Hennessy(St. Michaels)

Hookers
Richie Bergin(St. Marys/UCD)
Declan Adamson(Clontarf RFC)
John McKee(Campbell) - u19
Sean Molony(Blackrock)

Second rows
Ryan Baird(St. Michaels) - Academy Year 1
Matthew Healy(St. Michaels)
Charlie Ryan(Blackrock/UCD)

Back rows
Ronan Watters(St. Marys/St. Marys)
Alan Francis(Blackrock/Blackrock)
Reubin Pim(Kilkenny/DUFC)
Scott Penny(St. Michaels) - Academy Year 1
Ruadhan Byron(Belvedere)
Mark Fleming(Glenstal Abbey)
Gerard Hill(Belvedere)
Michael McGagh(Blackrock)
Martin Moloney(Athy)

Scrumhalf
Cormac Foley(St. Gerards)
Louis O'Reilly(Blackrock)
James Kenny(Gonzaga/Lansdowne) - u21

Outhalf
David Hawkshaw(Belvedere)
James Tarrant(Blackrock)
David Moran(St. Michaels)

Centre
David Ryan(St. Michaels)
Eoin Barr(Gonzaga)
Liam Turner(Blackrock)
Jay Barron(St. Michaels)

Back Three
Hugo Conway(St. Marys)
Aaron O'Sullivan(Exile/UCD) - Academy Year 1
Ruairi Shields(St. Marys)
Patrick Oppermann(St. Gerards)
Sean Galvin(Gonzaga/Lansdowne)
Rob Russell(St. Michaels/DUFC)
Conor Kelly(Roscrea/Clontarf)

Notablee absentee's

Donnacha Mescal(LH Prop/Blackrock)
Daragh Bolger(LH Prop/Clontarf)
Dan O'Donovan(Backrow/St. Michaels)
Brian O'Donnell(Centre/Gonzaga)
Sam Barry(Wing/Belvedere)
David Lacey(Fullback/Belvedere)

[mildlyinterested]

Northampton visiting Dublin to play schools and clubs side.. when I don't know.

[mildlyinterested]

Conor Nash made his AFL debut at the weekend.