Ireland u20 2017-2018

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Certainly carries himself like one. Very vocal and eager to get involved defensively, reminds me of Isa actually.

[El Diablo]

The hamstring injury Caelan Doris picked up on Thursday is bad unfortunately. He will be out for the u20 6n at least. Big setback for Ireland but also a huge blow for St Marys in the AIL relegation scrap.

[johng]

That's such a pity. He would have been the star of the show in the 6n. Was looking forward to his second crack at it.

[mildlyinterested]

Ireland u20 squad announced.

Prop
Jordan Duggan(Naas/Leinster) - capped as a u19
Jack Aungier(St. Marys/Leinster)
Joe Byrne(DUFC/Leinster)
James French(UCC/Munster)
Tom O'Toole(Bnbridge/Ulster)

Hooker
Ronan Kelleher(Lansdowne/Leinster) - capped as a u19
Diarmaid Barron(Garryowen/Munster) - capped as a u19

Second Row
Jack Dunne(DUFC/Leinster)
Cormac Daly(Clontarf/Leinster)
Charlie Ryan(UCD/Leinster) - u19
Matthew Dalton(Malone/Ulster)
Ronan Coffey(Shannon/Munster)

Backrow
Sean Masterson(Corinthians/Connacht) - capped as a u19
Joe Dunleavy(Malone/Ulster)
Aaron Hall(Ballynhinch/Ulster)
Max Kearney(DUFC/Leinster)
Jack O'Sullivan(UCC/Munster)

Scrumhalf
Jonny Stewart(Queens/Ulster) - capped as a u19
Hugh O'Sullivan(Clontarf/Leinster)

Outhalf
Conor Dean(St. Marys/Leinster) - capped as a u19
Angus Curtis(Queens/Ulster) - capped as a u19
Harry Byrne(UCD/Leinster) - u19

Outside Backs
Tommy O'Brien(UCD/Leinster) - capped as a u19
Sean O'Brien(Clontarf/Leinster)
David McCarthy(Garryowen/Munster) - capped as a u19
Angus Kernohan(Ballymena/Ulster) - u19
Michael Silvester(DUFC/Leinster) - capped as a u19
Peter Sullivan(Lansdowne/Leinster)
James McCarthy(UL Bohs/Munster) - u19
Mark Keane(Queens/Ulster) - capped as a u19
Conor Hayes(Young Munster/Munster)

[CiaranIrl]

Jaysus, I thought they would badly miss Doris even before I saw the squad selection, but looking through the options there now, they are even more screwed.

[neiliog93]

Looks pretty strong generally (better than our average u20 team IMO), but we have no big unit or powerful ball carrier in the back row without Doris. That could be the downfall of this team (but I think Doris will be back for the JWC in the Summer).

[mildlyinterested]

Looks pretty strong generally (better than our average u20 team IMO), but we have no big unit or powerful ball carrier in the back row without Doris. That could be the downfall of this team (but I think Doris will be back for the JWC in the Summer).

yeah but pack is usually over powered at this level.. doris is a huge loss.. could lose badly in away games..

[RavenhillRaider]

Just reading up on the regs of player eligibility and capture,

"(d) Before January 1, 2018, he is selected to represent the Under 20s National Representative Team of a Union which has been pre-designated as that Union’s next senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team and the Player is part of the team which participates in an International Match as part of the World Rugby Junior World Championships, World Rugby Junior World Rugby Trophy or the Six Nations U20 Championship and is present at the Match played by that Team either as a replacement, substitute or playing member of that Team and has, at the time of the Match, reached the age of majority².
(2) With effect from January 1, 2018, Unions will no longer be permitted to name its Under 20s National Representative Team as that Union’s next senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team."
https://www.worldrugby.org/handbook/reg ... eg-8/reg-8

So this means the u20s competitions are now a shop window for any nation to pick up project players?

I know we didn't traditionally name the u20s as our second side but the likes of France and wales did.

[dropkick]

Looks pretty strong generally (better than our average u20 team IMO), but we have no big unit or powerful ball carrier in the back row without Doris. That could be the downfall of this team (but I think Doris will be back for the JWC in the Summer).

Maybe they can play a high tempo, offloading game instead. Well, I'd be surprised if they didnt go that route.


One thing you can say is its the most experienced squad we've seen at this level. A silver lining from last year's disappointment. Dean for example looked poor in his first few games but he looked a quality player after that. That bit of experience helps.

[simonokeeffe]

Hey maybe we'll A games back then

Maybe thinking was to stop bigger nations strategically tying players

Very good preview on the team here from the excellent ball handling hooker on the twittrr

https://u20rugby.wordpress.com/2018/01/ ... ssion=true

[mildlyinterested]

Loosehead Prop
Jordan Duggan(Naas RFC)
James French(UCC RFC)
Joe Byrne(DUFC)

Jordan Duggan returns from last season when he was a surprise addition to the Ireland u20 squad for the junior world cup. James French is probably the higher rated player, he has struggled somewhat this season to date with staying healthy and hasn't many games under his belt at AIL level. Joe Byrne emerged from nowhere last season for Blackrock and pushed on even further this season, is capable of holding up both side of the scrum, starts regularly at tighthead for his club. If there is an injury, Niall McEniff(St. Marys College RFC) looks like the most like player to be called up at this position.

Tighthead Prop
Jack Aungier(St. Marys College RFC)
Tom O'Toole(Banbridge RFC)
Joe Byrne(DUFC)

Jack Aungier has been well known about since he a young age when he played for Ireland u18 clubs as a 16 year old prop. Joining the leinster academy straight from school added further to that. Usually features off the bench for his club, has began to feature for Leinster A in 2018. Tom O'Toole moved to Campbell College from Australia at under-18 level, but is originally from Dublin, is a huge carrier of the ball but a work in progress when it comes to the scrum. Usually features off the bench for his club, has had several impressive performances in the loose for Ulster A. Joe Byrne as mentioned above is capable of playing both prop positions and is currently the only tighthead starting regularly in the AIL. If there is an injury, Bryan O'Connor(UCC RFC) looks like the most like player to be called up at this position.

Hooker
Ronan Kelleher(Lansdowne FC)
Diarmuid Barron(Garryowen RFC)

Both hookers return from last season, where Ronan Kelleher was highly impressive in the game time he garnered at JWC. Kelleher appears to be on the fast track within Leinster and could be called upon during the 6 nations given the injury situation at Leinster. As with most leinster hookers he is a convert from another position and his darts are his biggest weakness. Diarmuid Barron has had an injury interrupted season, the long time hooker is like most munster hookers in that he does the basics of the position pretty well. Somewhat surprisingly he did not get a Munster academy deal last summer. If there is an injury, Alex Clarke(Queens RFC) looks like the most like player to be called up at this position.

Second Row
Charlie Ryan(UCD RFC)
Jack Dunne(DUFC)
Cormac Daly(Clontarf RFC)
Matthew Dalton(Malone RFC)
Ronan Coffey(Shannon RFC)

A very strong year for this position, Charlie Ryan and Jack Dunne are pure second rows with both players close to being 6'7. Dunne has had a great season for DUFC in the AIL, while Ryan missed the first half of the season with injury. Him making this squad reflects how highly rated he is. Cormac Daly went to the junior world cup last season but did not make an appearance, he has followed that up with a very strong season for Clontarf in the AIL. Daly could possibly play blindside if needed but i'd consider that pretty unlikely. Matthew Dalton has already played for Ulster several times and is very highly regarded in the province, he is capable of playing blindside or second row and if not needed by Ulster should feature heavily for Ireland under-20. Ronan Coffey is a another athletic player who has experience at both blindside and second row, in my opinion he is the most likely of the players listed above to lineout at blindside flanker. If there is an injury, John McCusker(Rainey OB RFC) looks like the most like player to be called up at this position.

Backrow
Sean Masterson(Corinthians RFC)
Joe Dunleavy(Malone RFC)
Jack O'Sullivan(UCC RFC)

Ireland under-20 are down standout backrower Caelan Doris(St. Marys College RFC) for the 6 nations, the above players are capable of playing 6 or 8 for the 20's. Sean Masterson is the most physically impressive of these players and has experience at this level from last season, the laois man also captained Ireland u19 last season. Joe Dunleavy is a highly rated backrower from Donegal, he has struggled somewhat recently with injury after an impressive start to the season. Jack O'Sullivan was a very impressive player for PBC Cork last season when they won the Munster senior schools cup, he had two very good games in the Ireland u20 warm up games and will hope to carry that form into the 6 nations. If there is an injury, Ronan Foley(UCD RFC) looks like the most like player to be called up at this position.

Openside
Aaron Hall(Ballynahinch RFC)
Matthew Agnew(Ballymena RFC)
Max Kearney(DUFC)

Aaron Hall is the second backrower from an Ulster clubs background, the impressive athlete has already appeared for Ulster senior team and assuming he is available during the 6 nations will likely get first chance at playing openside for Ireland u20. Matthew Agnew is a natural openside flanker who has had an impressive season to date in the AIL, he has also appeared for Ulster A. Max Kearney is another natural openside flanker, he has yet to play AIL rugby this season being behind fellow under-20 Richard Dunne for his club, although he has two recent appearances for Leinster A. If there is an injury, Jack Daly(Garryowen RFC)looks like the most like player to be called up at this position.

[mildlyinterested]

Scrumhalf
Jonny Stewart(Queens RFC)
Hugh O'Sullivan(Clontarf RFC)

Jonny Stewart returns from last seasons team, with the added experience of playing senior rugby for Ulster. He may be called upon by Ulster during the 6 nations. Hugh O'Sullivan joined the leinster academy straight from school, he featured heavily at fullback while playing schools rugby and only this year has begun to fully focus on playing scrumhalf. If there is an injury, Patrick Patterson(UCD RFC) looks like the most like player to be called up at this position.

Outhalf
Conor Dean(St. Marys RFC)
Angus Curtis(Queens RFC)
Harry Byrne(UCD RFC) - u19

Conor Dean returns from last season, where he appeared during the JWC to mixed reviews. He's had an injury interrupted season at AIL level, along with some exposure at Leinster A level. Angus Curtis also returns from last years JWC where he got injured, he has also had an injury interrupted season to date at AIL level, he could also appear at fullback or as a second distributor type at 12. Harry Byrne has had an impressive season to date for an 18 year old, appearing for Leinster A at times aswell as becoming first choice 10 for UCD in the AIL. If there is an injury, Michael Lowry(Bandbridge RFC) looks like the most like player to be called up at this position assuming he stays healthy.

Outside Backs
Tommy O'Brien(UCD RFC)
David McCarthy(Garryowen RFC)
Sean O'Brien(Clontarf RFC)
Angus Kernohan(Ballymena RFC) - u19
Michael Silvester(DUFC)
Peter Sullivan(Lansdowne FC)
Mark Keane(Queens RFC)
James McCarthy(UL Bohs RFC) - u19
Conor Hayes(Young Munster RFC) - u19

Tommy O'Brien leads the way as captain and likely starting outside centre, but is also capable of playing wing or inside centre. David McCarthy returns from last season and is capable of playing both inside and outside centre. Sean O'Brien has experience on the wing but is more likely to appear at one of the centre positions, much like Angus Kernohan who has experience at both positions and could line up anywhere from 11 to 14. Michael Silvester returns from last season and could line up at either wing position or at fullback, he has had an outstanding season at fullback in the AIL. Peter Sullivan is a converted schools centre, but will likely only appear on the wing for Ireland u20. Mark Keane returns from last season and is likely to feature on the wing, he has had an injury interrupted season to date. James McCarthy covers both wing positions and fullback, the former wales u18 player suffered from injury earlier in the season but appears to be back in form. Finally Conor Hayes is a specialist fullback, it would be a surprise to see him playing elsewhere bar covering for injury during a game. If there is an injury in the centre, James Hume(Bandbridge RFC) looks like the most like player to be called up at this position assuming he is healthy. While in the back three, Daniel Hurley(Young Munster RFC) looks like the most like player to be called up at this position assuming he is healthy.

[scentofgunpowder]

I saw Masterson playing for Corinthians recently, he didn't really impress me unfortunately. Could have been an off day of course.

[hugonaut]

Outstanding introduction to the players, Mildly. Wouldn't be surprised if you see that chopped up and regurgitated on a lot of Irish-based rugby sites.

Looking forward to seeing how Kelleher and the lads in the second row get on.

[mildlyinterested]

Outstanding introduction to the players, Mildly. Wouldn't be surprised if you see that chopped up and regurgitated on a lot of Irish-based rugby sites.

Looking forward to seeing how Kelleher and the lads in the second row get on.

much appreciated.

agreed very interested to see how the 2nd rows get on.

[CiaranIrl]

+1 to Hugo's post. You're some man for one man Mildly. Or two men if you count Goreyguy

[mildlyinterested]

+1 to Hugo's post. You're some man for one man Mildly. Or two men if you count Goreyguy

i need to find another hobby

good to know not everyone has blocked me

[fourthirtythree]

+1 to Hugo's post. You're some man for one man Mildly. Or two men if you count Goreyguy

I think many of us appreciate the depth of knowledge that you bring.

[simonokeeffe]

I suggest yee read the article I posted the link to, just saying

[mildlyinterested]

+1 to Hugo's post. You're some man for one man Mildly. Or two men if you count Goreyguy

I think many of us appreciate the depth of knowledge that you bring.

much appreciated.