mildlyinterested wrote:Leinster U20 lock Cormac Izuchukwu joining Ulster academy. Surprising, they are taking a chance on his athletic potential.
He's an impressive athlete - here's a good try he scored for the Sevens last year:
https://www.world.rugby/worldrugbytv/vi ... 70?lang=en
I think it's a good move for him and for Ulster. Realistically, he's looking at James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Dunne, Charlie Ryan [not to mention Ross Molony] ahead of him in the Leinster playing pool at lock. It's really hard to see where there would be any gametime for him here in the next 1-3 years.
Personally speaking, I think he will develop as a blindside rather than a second row. I think it plays to his strengths as a runner. That Ulster second row is pretty solid at the moment as well - Henderson, Sam Carter, Treadwell [who plays loads of games for them - he averaged 24 appearances/season in his first three years] and Alan O'Connor, who is another guy who plays loads of matches for them, then Dinky Dalton and another Leinster man Jack Regan in the academy, both of whom have a couple of years on him in terms of experience.
Even if we were looking at him on the blindside, Alex Soroka [U20s profile:
https://www.irishrugby.ie/u20/alex-soroka/] was so impressive for Ireland U20s as a 196cm/100kg 18/19 year old this season. From the example of his brother Ivan's build and strength, I can see him filling out to be an almost Stephen Ferris-esque blindside.