Ireland Under 20 2017

[ormond lad]

Thought Coombs also picking up the challenge.

In relation to the coaching of this side, I've had reservations for a long time about the concept of picking Provincial Academy Managers for this gig. Essentially they get from mid-January with a Squad of about 40 players, almost uniquely dedicated to two competitions - 6N and JWC.

Since Ruddock left about three years ago, amid some allegations of clashing priorities and L'downe player bias, there has been little evidence of coaching progression until team gets to JWC, except for last year, which was Carolin's last year before getting Connacht Asst Coach gig.

No actual playing style or progression that I can discern this year, although they lost a lot of top players before Tournament.

If the Coaching idea is Nucifora's. as rumoured, it's a bad idea. If it's not his idea, it's still a rubbish strategy and the Coaching progression should appoint a duo to Coach Irish Schools, Irish 19s and Irish 20's in successive years. That's a logocal progression of 6 native Coaches each year with capacity for oversight and work with Coaches at National and Provincial level throughout this apprenticship.

Coaching at top level takes time, learning and experience. It is intrinsically different from the job of Academy management which is a combination of HR and Project Management.

IRFU should take on this challenge seriously and get it right. This year they didn't and the U.20's is the proof.

I dont think we should have a coaching team just move from the under 18 a team with the next best on the under 18 b team with best from both then going on up to the 19s then 20s in successive years. You should have a consistency with a coach staying at a specific level for 2-3 years and then move on up ladder if deemed good enough.

[ormond lad]

Ireland u-18 schools and u-19s have few fixtures or training periods together, potentially the u-20 coaches could do all 3 in a given year. Or at least, the u-20 coaches could have significant impact when the schools and u-19 squads meet, so that when they get to u-20 level they're more ready to follow the gameplan.

Under 18s and 19s dont have a huge amount of games but wouldnt really be feasible for the 20s coach to do all of them. The 20s coaches should be more involved with the under 19s team though.
And we shouldnt be having an under 18 schools, it should be open under 18s clubs or schools and simply be called irish u18 A and Irish u18 B

[RAILWAY1]

If the progression is going to be under 18 schools -- under 19 and under 20 an awful lot of players who do not attend rugby schools will be excluded and we will simply fall further behind. The IRFU needs to take some radical steps to get the best players going forward

[cormac]

Ireland leading Samoa 26-5 at half-time. Tries from Cooper, Wycherly, Dowling and Kelleher

[cormac]

Finished 52-26 to Ireland, at least we avoid the ignominy of relegation.

[cormac]

Goergia beat Argentina so we face the hosts in the 9th/10th playoff game.

[mildlyinterested]

Goergia beat Argentina so we face the hosts in the 9th/10th playoff game.

lost to them at u18 level two years ago.

[neiliog93]

Georgia dominated the game and should have won by 20 points. I think they might beat us. Their 17 year old, 5 ft 5 in scrum-half (yes, 5 ft 5 in!) can kick 60-65 metre penalties. Probably the biggest boot I've ever seen.

[dropkick]

Better performance today.

I thought Dean had a good game and showed what he can do. His passing was very good.

We know what the players can do as individuals but today it was a better team performance. Samoa were not great but you can only beat what's in front of you. Defence remains a concern.


Sylvester looks like a real speedster. Nice balance too to good with his speed.

[cormac]

Ireland beat Georgia 24-18 to finish 9th. New Zealand put 60 on England in the final.

[simonokeeffe]

Georgia and Romania joining an expanded u20 6 nations in 2018

[El Diablo]

Georgia and Romania joining an expanded u20 6 nations in 2018

Georgias' Twitter account says it is from "May 2018" which doesn't make sense for the 6N in Feb/March.
https://twitter.com/GeorgianRugby
Are they thinking of moving the competition to May to avoid playing in 3 foot of snow in Bucharest in February?
If it happens it will have to be rebranded as European Championship or something. It will mean a lot of games and possibly bigger squads.

[simonokeeffe]

Georgia and Romania joining an expanded u20 6 nations in 2018

Georgias' Twitter account says it is from "May 2018" which doesn't make sense for the 6N in Feb/March.
https://twitter.com/GeorgianRugby
Are they thinking of moving the competition to May to avoid playing in 3 foot of snow in Bucharest in February?
If it happens it will have to be rebranded as European Championship or something. It will mean a lot of games and possibly bigger squads.

Would interfere too much with JRWC preparation if it was in May too surely? Plus their exams. Am guessing Georgia has gnarly winter weather too

So either its wrong or they mean next season not this one then

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Mad that we have South African and US (not sure how certain that is but think it is) teams joining the Pro12 but then Romania and Georgia joining this. Seems to be very little in the way of joined up thinking or a grand plan.

[simonokeeffe]

Mad that we have South African and US (not sure how certain that is but think it is) teams joining the Pro12 but then Romania and Georgia joining this. Seems to be very little in the way of joined up thinking or a grand plan.

Big time, its age old problem of commercial entities v semi benevolent ones. But the speed of it all is probably a factor plus competing fiefdoms/power struggles
Maybe this u20 set up will be a pathway

Without going off the reservation completely adding one or two more to 6n would create all kinds of tumult in the NH game

Do remember thinking it was a glaring error to add Argentina to Rugby Championship but not Argentine Super Rugby team for a few years and no bg exemptions on picking Argies for SR sides.

[Dave Cahill]

has anyone seen anything about this that hasn't originated from the Lelos twitter account?

[Dave Cahill]

So, they're f%~ked.

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[cormac]

So, they're f%~ked.

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Is Tierney really being rewarded for that shambles with the U-20 job???? If so, f%~king hell.

[mildlyinterested]

So, they're f%~ked.

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Is Tierney really being rewarded for that shambles with the U-20 job???? If so, f%~king hell.

jobs for the boys

[simonokeeffe]

So, they're f%~ked.

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Is Tierney really being rewarded for that shambles with the U-20 job???? If so, f%~king hell.

That defied belief until you see what RTB had in the Irish coaches thread and then it has stroke politics written all over it

Hopefully some horses were traded the other way