Ireland Under-20 2014-2015

[simonokeeffe]

If anybody hasn't seen Akira Ioane for Auckland Blues this season, watch out for him on Wednesday. Can't remember another U20 backrow being so dominant at this age group, even Jerome Kaino [who was absolutely amazing against Heaslip et al in the 2004 U21 championship]. He is spectacularly talented.

Here's a gif of his try against Western Force a couple of months back: http://gfycat.com/DefiantFickleEstuarinecrocodile

kind of out runs the honey badger, between him and Savea the 7 NZ could bring new meaning to high tempo

[goreyguy]

nearly the whole pack is undersized at this level.

and we often hear about how size has become too important in irish underage rugby and it's focused on too much.

[blockhead]

Ireland Under-20 (v New Zealand Under-20s, 2015 World Rugby Under-20 Championship - Pool C, Viadana, Wednesday 10th June, kick-off 8.30pm local time/7.30pm Irish time)

15. Billy Dardis (UCD/Leinster)
14. Jack Owens (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)
12. Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
11. Jacob Stockdale (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)
10. Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster)
9. Nick McCarthy (UCD/Leinster) (Capt)
1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)
2. Zack McCall (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)
3. Oisin Heffernan (Terenure College/Leinster)
4. David O'Connor (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
5. Alex Thompson (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)
6. Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster)
7. Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/ Connacht)
8. Lorcan Dow (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)

Replacements
16. Sean McNulty (UCD/Leinster)
17. Liam O'Connor (Cork Constitution /Munster)
18. Conan O'Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht)
19. Cian Romaine (Buccaneers/ Connacht)
20. Stephen McVeigh (Buccaneers/ Connacht)
21. Charlie Rock (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
22. Tomás Quinlan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
23. Fergal Cleary (Lansdowne/ Leinster)

11 Leinster, 6 Ulster, 4 Connacht and only 2 from Munster!
Holy sh*t! Whats going on down there?

[cormac]

Hard to believe McCall is back starting at hooker

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Wonder if Gaffney was really fit on Saturday? Is there not some weird rule about everyone having to start a pool game or something along those lines? Vaguely remember something like that in the last few tournaments.

[goreyguy]

rule doesn't exist.

[The Anathemata]

Not one Munster player in the starting 15. Time the IRFU seriously considered winding up the province and having their players/schools split between Leinster and Connacht.

Thomond should be sold off for scrap as soon as possible, before the Rathkeale brigade undertake what's only in their culture.

[goreyguy]

can you stop pretending to be a leinster fan? it's a pretty old act at this stage.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

McCall out and McNulty in according to the times. Hopefully that'll help the set piece, improve there and it should be a good game.

[Leoslovechild]

McCall out and McNulty in according to the times. Hopefully that'll help the set piece, improve there and it should be a good game.

Thought this was good news too based on Scottish game anyway

[Donny B.]

FFS, it was actually a very decent first quarter from Ireland but the first proper NZ attack and they score a try

[goreyguy]

Doing well to be still so close.

McCarthy broken collarbone is bad news from a Leinster point of view.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Shite, that stupid penalty ruins a lot of good work. Was really happy with most of that half. Think we really needed to stay within 7 for the entirety of the game, can't see us clawing them back now tbh.

[Dexter]

Shite, that stupid penalty ruins a lot of good work. Was really happy with most of that half. Think we really needed to stay within 7 for the entirety of the game, can't see us clawing them back now tbh.

True. Wasn't the clock in the red before the last scrum though??
Edit: Just saw the ref checked his watch, so the TV clock musn't be the match clock.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Flip, they just have too many beasts that take a lot of stopping. Can only hold them out for so long.

[Donny B.]

Floodgates open now

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Arnold is fantastic. If he was at any other province he'd have a good chance at starting next season.

[Donny B.]

The quality of Irish passing is very poor. Sloppy, lateral, not giving anyone a chance to hit a line.

EDIT: But I'd take it over yet another shitty grubber kick...

[LeRouxIsPHat]

The quality of Irish passing is very poor. Sloppy, lateral, not giving anyone a chance to hit a line.

EDIT: But I'd take it over yet another shitty grubber kick...

They look to be hesitating because they know a mistake will mean someone gets killed/NZ will pick it off and run the length of the pitch.

[Donny B.]

Late hit on Arnold