Leinster Scrumhalves

[LeRouxIsPHat]

JGP is fit, he was fit for the Munster game. And Kleyn qualifies after him.

Ireland's gameplan and Joe's whole approach to the game is famous for its detail, the idea that a scrumhalf would be left out of the training squad but be likely to be thrown in and learn everything so close to a World Cup is honestly crazy.

There is no good reason for him to not be in this squad if he's going to Japan, none.

[Workhorse]

I said his kicking wasn't great and as a 20 year old, he isn't always going to make the right decision but he does get the ball out of the breakdown quickly, not flapping his arms or complaining to the ref and for a young 9 he showed improved decision making as the game went on. it wasn't his best game, but it was certainly very good, there is a reason leo tried to sign him and it's because he is a top tier prospect at 9, much better than anything we have in our system currently or have had come through since probably the early days of professionalism.

if he was a leinster produced prospect, the excitement around his potential future would be huge.

Getting the ball out quickly 9/10 times is down to the forwards and people are seriously underestimating how good and big this forward pack are, they may be slightly smaller than their English counterparts but they're still pretty big.
As I said he obviously has potential and thats probably why Leo tried to sign him if he did but I think the whole greatest thing since sliced bread talk is completely over the top, he's got a brilliant pass and is very quick but that's not all you need in a scrum half and I haven't seen anything in the rest of his game to go with "best 9 in professional era" stuff, people forget just how good Luke McGrath was at U20 level

[mildlyinterested]

McGrath was very good at u20 level, but his pass let him down as it still does on occasion.

Casey's pass separates himself from the rest due to his pass.

[Blue Man]

Whisper it but Foley could be the solution to our depth challenge at 9. Having tried McCarthy, Patterson and O’Sullivan there, I think we have a genuine back up to JGP and Like. Foley is quick, has a good rugby brain and offers a zippy pass. He was really good against the Sharks yesterday and it will have helped his confidence as he continues to develop. Very encouraging performance from him

[riocard911]

Whisper it but Foley could be the solution to our depth challenge at 9. Having tried McCarthy, Patterson and O’Sullivan there, I think we have a genuine back up to JGP and Like. Foley is quick, has a good rugby brain and offers a zippy pass. He was really good against the Sharks yesterday and it will have helped his confidence as he continues to develop. Very encouraging performance from him

Agree. And the little bit we saw of Ben Murphy for Emerging Ireland, 20 mins of the bench, recently was reassuring, IMO.

[odyboody]

With all the talk about speeding up the game I think a quick one would be this.
Basic rule is no hands in the ruck.
Therefore as soon as a scrum half puts hands on the ball it should be ruck over ball out.
Would certainly force scrum halves to get the ball away quickly.

Also should be a rule that your only allowed extend ruck by 1 player

[neiliog93]

Both Foley and Murphy have serious potential, our highest potential 9s to enter the academy since it started in the mid-2000s, IMO.

[Ruckedtobits]

With all the talk about speeding up the game I think a quick one would be this.
Basic rule is no hands in the ruck.
Therefore as soon as a scrum half puts hands on the ball it should be ruck over ball out.
Would certainly force scrum halves to get the ball away quickly.

Also should be a rule that your only allowed extend ruck by 1 player

Easier to referee and apply equitably:

"No player may join the ruck after his scrum half has played the ball"

Thus, if scrum-half heels the ball to get it to the back of the ruck, nobody can lengthen it.

[Oldschool]

With all the talk about speeding up the game I think a quick one would be this.
Basic rule is no hands in the ruck.
Therefore as soon as a scrum half puts hands on the ball it should be ruck over ball out.
Would certainly force scrum halves to get the ball away quickly.

Also should be a rule that your only allowed extend ruck by 1 player

Easier to referee and apply equitably:

"No player may join the ruck after his scrum half has played the ball"

Thus, if scrum-half heels the ball to get it to the back of the ruck, nobody can lengthen it.

Throw in, No player may join a maul (unless part of the original lineout) except the SH.

[mildlyinterested]

Scrumhalf
U20 level
Fintan Gunne(St. Michaels/Terenure)

Oscar Cawley(Naas RFC/Naas)


Gunne, who hasnt played this season due to a shoulder injury, made his debut for Leinster A last season while still in school, the highly rated scrumhalf will hope to return from injury in time for the u20 six nations. Cawley is less heralded than Gunne but has been a constant in leinster underage sides and has already impressed at AIL level, with three tries to his name in 3 games.

U19 level
Oliver Coffey(Blackrock)

Tadgh Brophy(Newbridge)


Coffey played for Ireland u18 last season and started twice for Leinster u19 this year, he was a key member of Blackrocks SCT winning side and returns again this season. Brophy played for ireland 18 7's and ireland u18 last season and started once for Leinster u19, smaller than Coffey he offers a great breaking threat and can be electric in open play, scoring two tries in his only start for the 19s. Both will battle it out tbis season to prove who is the best scrumhalf playing schools rugby this season.

U18 level
Andrew Doyle(Athy RFC)

Dylan Kelly(Portloaise RFC)


Doyle played for ireland and leinster u18 clubs side last season as a u17, he returns this season and will hope to play for ireland u18 again.