Ireland u20 2020

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Great stuff!

Not the best performance but I thought tactics were the problem more than the players. We refused to kick early on and put ourselves under pressure, but then when we got some possession and territory we kept kicking it away. It was really stupid to keep kicking to Evans given the boot he had on him, and throughout the game we kept the ball in play despite the Welsh lineout being so dodgy. We really made it hard for ourselves but did brilliantly to come up with some big moments, and it was impressive to do that after all the disallowed tries.

Changing the halfbacks and bringing Baird on made a huge difference. Turner didn't get much ball but thought he was excellent again, big fan of his workrate and he's really solid.

Tough group but looking forward to the JWC.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Dara O'Briain called the win "lucky".

He really is the worst.

Thought he was very condescending at times during the women's games too.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Our 1st "official" Slam at U20s.

What am I missing here? What was unofficial about 2007??

[cormac]

Our 1st "official" Slam at U20s.

What am I missing here? What was unofficial about 2007??

IIRC some teams entered U-21 teams that year as they were changing the underage structure from both U-19 and U-21 tournaments to just U-20. First official U-20 6N and JWC only started in 2008.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Didn't know that, thanks Cormac!

[Ruckedtobits]

https://player.fm/series/the-molecast/molecast-30

The Demented Mole lads include a good review of the 20's Grand Slam win at the back end of their Podcast. A good listen (the U.20's piece is about the last 15 minutes).

[dropkick]

https://player.fm/series/the-molecast/molecast-30

The Demented Mole lads include a good review of the 20's Grand Slam win at the back end of their Podcast. A good listen (the U.20's piece is about the last 15 minutes).

Cheers.


I thought Penny was the player of the tournament. Massive talent and fair play to Cullen for allowing him play with the U20s.


With hooker being a weak position in Irish rugby, Tierney looks like a player who could go far. He looks a great prospect. Comfortable on the ball, on the ground, good carrier and his scrummaging must be decent too.


There are others but I think those 2 have a great chance to win Ireland caps sooner than the others.

[mildlyinterested]

Ireland u20 squad, AIL activity last weekend:

Prop
Tom Clarkson(Leinster/Blackrock/DUFC) - didn't play this weekend.
Ryan Lomas(Connacht/Roscrea/Galwegians) - started at 3.
Callum Reid(Ulster/RBAI/Banbridge) - Cara Cup.
Josh Whycerely(Munster/Roscrea/Young Munster) - didn't play this weekend.
Michael Milne(Leinster/CC Roscrea-Birr RFC/UCD) - injured.
Guiseppe Coyne(Leinster/Blackrock/DUFC) - started at 1, 1 try.
Luke Masters(Munster/CBC/Shannon) - bench.

Hooker
Dylan Tierney Martin(Connacht//Corinthians) - didn't play this weekend.
John McKee(Leinster/Campbell/Old Belvedere) - bench.
Billy Scannell(Munster/PBC/Young Munster) - didn't play this weekend.
Declan Adamson(Leinster/Clontarf/Clontarf) - didn't play this weekend.

Lock
Charlie Ryan(Leinster/Blackrock/UCD) - didn't play this weekend.
Niall Murray(Connacht/Buccaneers/Buccaneers) - didn't play this weekend.
Ryan Baird(Leinster/St. Michaels/DUFC) - started at 5.
Brian Deeny(Leinster/Wexford RFC/Clontarf) - bench.
Paddy Kelly(Munster/St. Munchins/Young Munster) - didn't play this weekend.
JJ McKee(Ulster/Antrim GS/Ballymena) - Cara Cup.

Backrow
Scott Penny(Leinster/St. Michaels/UCD) - didn't play this weekend.
John Hodnett(Munster/Clonakilty RFC/UCC) - didn't play this weekend.
Martin Moloney(Leinster/Athy RFC/Old Belvedere) - didn't play this weekend.
Azur Allison(Ulster/Ballymena/Ballymena) - injured.
David McCann(Ulster/RBAI/Banbridge) - Cara Cup.
Ronan Watters(Leinster/St. Marys/St. Marys) - started at 7.

Scrumhalf
Craig Casey(Munster/ArdScoil Ris/Shannon) - didn't play this weekend.
Cormac Foley(Leinster/St. Gerards/St. Marys) - bench, 3 tries.
Colm Reilly(Connacht/Garbally/Buccanneers) - started at 9, 1 try.

Outhalf
Harry Byrne(Leinster/St. Michaels/Lansdowne) - didn't play this weekend.
Ben Healy(Munster/Glenstal/Garryowen) - didn't play this weekend.
Bruce Houston(Ulster/Ballymena/Ballymena) - Cara Cup.

Centre
David Hawkshaw(Leinster/Belvedere/Clontarf) - injured.
Liam Turner(Leinster/Blackrock/DUFC) - didn't play this weekend.
Sean French(Munster/PBC/Cork Con) - didn't play this weekend.
Stewart Moore(Ulster/Ballymena/Malone) - Cara Cup.
David Ryan(Leinster/St. Michaels/UCD) - didn't play this weekend.

Back Three
Jake Flannery(Munster/Rockwell/Shannon) - didn't play this weekend.
Angus Kernohen(Ulster/Ballymena/Queens) - Ulster senior team.
Aaron O'Sullivan(Leinster/Exile/UCD) - started at 15 for UCD U20.
Rob Russell(Leinster/St. Michaels/DUFC) - started at 14, 1 try.
Conor Phillips(Munster/Crescent/Young Munster) - started at 11.
Iwan Hughes(Ulster/Exile/) - Cara Cup.
James McCarthy(Munster/Exile/UL Bohs) - didn't play this weekend.

[dropkick]

I see Australia U20 beat NZ 22-0. Strongest group if players they've had in a while with a lot of super rugby experience.

Not a great year to get them in our group.

[mildlyinterested]

Projected Ireland U20 squad for Junior World Cup:

LH Prop
Josh Wycherley(Munster/Bantry Bay RFC-CC Roscrea/Young Munster)
Callum Reid(Ulster/RBAI/Banbridge)

TH Prop
Tom Clarkson(Leinster/Blackrock/DUFC) - u19
Michael Milne(Leinster/Birr RFC-CC Roscrea/UCD)
Luke Masters(Munster/CBC Cork/Shannon)

Hoooker
Dylan Tierney Martin(Connacht/Corinthians)
John McKee(Leinster/Campbell/Old Belvedere) - u19

Lock
Charlie Ryan(Leinster/Blackrock/UCD) - capt.
Ryan Baird(Leinster/St. Michaels College/DUFC)
Niall Murray(Connacht/Buccaneers)

Backrow
Scott Penny(Leinster/St. Michaels/UCD)
Martin Moloney(Leinster/Athy RFC/Old Belvedere)
John Hodnett(Munster/Clonakilty RFC/UCC)
David McCann(Ulster/RBAI/Banbridge) - u19
Azur Allison(Ulster/Ballymena/Ballymena) OR Ronan Watters(Leinster/St. Marys/St. Marys)

Scrumhalf
Craig Casey(Munster/Ard Scoil Ris/Shannon)
Cormac Foley(Leinster/St. Gerards/St. Marys) OR Colm Reilly(Connacht/Buccaneers)

Outhalf
Harry Byrne(Leinster/St. Michaels/Lansdowne)
Ben Healy(Munster/Glenstal Abbey/Garryowen)

Centre
Liam Turner(Leinster/Blackrock/DUFC)
Sean French(Munster/PBC Cork/Cork Con)
Stewart Moore(Ulster/Ballymena/Malone)

Back Three
Jake Flannery(Munster/Rockwell/Shannon
Jonathan Wren(Munster/PBC Cork/Cork Con)
Conor Phillips(Munster/Crescent College/Young Munster)
Angus Kernohen(Ulster/Ballymena/Queens)
Rob Russell(Leinster/St. Michaels/DUFC)

[mildlyinterested]

Irish U20 team named, or at least sent to World Rugby: https://www.world.rugby/u20/teams/2749

LH Prop
Callum Reid(Ulster)
Josh Wycherley(Munster)

TH Prop
Tom Clarkson(Leinster)
Michael Milne(Leinster)
Ryan Lomas(Connacht)

Hooker
Dylan Tierney Martin(Connacht)
John McKee(Leinster) - u19

Lock
Charlie Ryan(Leinster)
Ryan Baird(Leinster)
Niall Murray(Connacht)
Brian Deeny(Leinster) - u19

Backrow
Ronan Watters(Leinster)
Scott Penny(Leinster)
David McCann(Ulster) - u19
John Hodnett(Munster)
Martin Moloney(Leinster)

Scrumhalf
Craig Casey(Munster)
Cormac Foley(Leinster)

Outhalf
Harry Byrne(Leinster)
Ben Healy(Munster)

Outside Backs
Liam Turner(Leinster)
Stewart Moore(Ulster)
Sean French(Munster)
Jonathan Wren(Munster)
Rob Russell(Leinster)
Iwan Hughes(Ulster)
Jake Flannery(Munster)
Angus Kernohan(Ulster)

[matt]

Big fan of Cj but Conan offers so much more at no 8. Not sure about the technicalities but especially against South Africa can see josh and Cj sharing game time at no 7.

[Dave Cahill]

Big fan of Cj but Conan offers so much more at no 8. Not sure about the technicalities but especially against South Africa can see josh and Cj sharing game time at no 7.

They might have a problem making the age limit though

[mildlyinterested]

have been unable to get results for either ireland u20 warm up game.

[mildlyinterested]

Hearing the following u20's who were named on extended squad won't be traveling to JWC:

Callum Reid(LH Prop/Ulster)
Brian Deeny(Lock/Leinster) - u19
Martin Moloney(Backrow/Leinster)
Bruce Houston(Outhalf/Ulster)
Adam La Grue(Outside Back/Leinster)

[mildlyinterested]

Ireland U20 Squad (World Rugby U20 Championship 2019)

Forwards
Declan Adamson (Clontarf/Leinster) *
Thomas Ahern (Shannon/Munster) *
Azur Allison (Ballymena/Ulster) *
Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)
Ciaran Booth (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby) *
Tom Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster)
John Hodnett (UCC/Munster)
David McCann (Banbridge/Ulster)
John McKee (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Michael Milne (UCD/Leinster)
Niall Murray (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Charlie Ryan (UCD/Leinster) Captain
Dylan Tierney-Martin (Corinthians/Connacht)
Charlie Ward (Clontarf/Leinster) *
Ronan Watters (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
Josh Wycherley (Young Munster/Munster)

Backs
Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster) Vice-Captain
Jake Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
Cormac Foley (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
Sean French (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Ben Healy (Garryowen/Munster)
Iwan Hughes (Ballynahinch/Ulster) *
Angus Kernohan (Queen’s University/Ulster)
Stewart Moore (Malone/Ulster) *
Colm Reilly (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Rob Russell (Dublin University/Leinster)
Liam Turner (Dublin University/Leinster)
Jonathan Wren (Cork Constitution/Munster)

*Denotes uncapped at this level

Unavailable due to injury
Harry Byrne(hip)
Brian Deeny(ankle)
David Hawkshaw(knee)
Martin Moloney(knee)
Scott Penny(shoulder)
Conor Phillips(knee)

[Ruckedtobits]

@mildlyinteorested, from where did Ciaran Booth (Sale & IQ) originate and when did he come onto Irish U.20's radar?

[mildlyinterested]

@mildlyinteorested, from where did Ciaran Booth (Sale & IQ) originate and when did he come onto Irish U.20's radar?

Well he is an exile so came through that system, has been playing for irish underage teams and played 7 for ireland u19 at easter.

[dropkick]

Injuries starting to mount up. There'll probably be more in the coming weeks. Penney is the biggest loss and potentially Byrne if Ben Healy performs like he did against Wales. Flannery is an alternative option if we're chasing the game.


Some of the new lads are talented though.
Booth looked quality from what I've seen.
Ward looks a good scrummager.
Ahern is a great prospect. Athletic and have the skills to match.
Moore and Allison are highly rated.


There are plenty of possible combinations to choose from. I'd say Moore might partner Turner in the center with French moving to wing. Flannery or Wren at fullback.


Backrow could be Booth 6, Hodnett 7, Allison 8?


I'd have picked Reid over Milne but the coaches see both in training..


Very hard group this year. Strongest Aussie group in a while I see and England are always tough too and Italy are strong these days. Hoping for some good rugby.

[mildlyinterested]

My guess at 1st starting XV

1. Josh Wycherley
2. Dylan Tierney Martin
3. Tom Clarkson
4. Ryan Baird
5. Charlie Ryan
6. Niall Murray
7. John Hodnett
8. Azur Allison
9. Craig Casey
10. Ben Healy
11. Jonathan Wren
12. Stewart Moore
13. Liam Turner
14. Sean French
15. Jake Flannery