Leinster Academy 2021-22

[mildlyinterested]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... um=twitter

Some good stuff there on search for talent in wider province and on Tim Corkery and Jamie Osborne.

[mildlyinterested]

Richie Murphy taking over the irish 20's for two seasons.

[mildlyinterested]

Rating academy/sub-academy players in terms of potential:

9 - potential to be a 1st choice international.
8 - potential to be a european level starter.
7 - potential to be a good squad player at leinster or elsewhere.

LH Prop
Michael Milne(U22) - 8
Marcus Hanan(U21) - 7
Jack Boyle(U19) - 9

Milne has looked good in his limited senior game time, hopefully he can return to senior action this season either in the Rainbow cup or for Leinster A. Haven't seen too much of Hanan but looks to be a solid prospect but doesn't standout in any aspect. There's a lot of hype around Boyle, but much of it looks much deserved, just a matter of time before he develops and matures physically.

One to watch
Aaron Rowan(U19)

TH Prop
Tom Clarkson(U21) - 8
Sam Illo(U20) - 7
Ben Griffin(U20) - 7

Clarkson is a very good rugby player already at 21, questions about his size at the highest level will remain until he answers them. Illo and Griffin should be in contention for irish u20 duty this summer until then it's hard to say if either have greater potential than a squad player.

One to watch
Rory McGuire(U19)

Hooker
John McKee(U21) - 7
Lee Barron(U20) - 7
Ronan Loughnane(U20) - 7

McKee has missed most of this season with injury, having his irish u20 season cut short can't have helped him develop but based on what i've seen to date that looks about right. Barron and Loughnane should be in contention for irish u20 duty this summer until then it's hard to say if either have greater potential than a squad player.

One to watch
Barry Gray(U19)

Lock
Charlie Ryan(U22) - 7
Brian Deeny(U21) - 8
Joe McCarthy(U20) - 7

Deeny has missed all of the season with injury, having his irish u20 season cut short can't have helped him develop but based on what i've seen to date that looks about right given his athletic potential, right now you'd have to say it's unlikely he reaches that level though. Ryan has missed most of this season with injury, but given his lack of athleticism I can't see him being a euro level starter. Meanwhile McCarthy hasn't played much rugby this season, it will be interesting to see how he gets on for the irish u20's this summer. He looked raw but physical for them last season in limited time and despite his large frame i'm not sure he has the athleticism to be a euro level starter.

One to watch
Diarmuid Mangan(U18)

Backrow
Martin Moloney(U22) - 7
Sean O’Brien(U21) - 8
Alex Soroka(U20) - 9
Mark Hernan(U21) - 7

Moloney has missed most of this season and last season with injury, and Hernan still looks very light for a professional openside. SOB looks to have a lot of potential but not sure openside, which he has been playing this season is his best position. Soroka has the potential and frame to be an international in the backrow and lock, it will be interesting to see where he settles long term.

One to watch
Donough Lawlor(U19)

Scrumhalf
Patrick Patterson(U23) - 7
Cormac Foley(U22) - 7
Ben Murphy(U20) - 7

Patterson has shown the most potential of these three scrumhalves.

One to watch
Rob Gilsenan(U20)

Outhalf
Tim Corkery(U20) - 7

Haven't seen a huge amount of him, will watch him with great interest this summer for the irish 20's.

One to watch
Charlie Tector(u19)

Centre
David Hawkshaw(U22) - 8
Liam Turner(U22) - 7
Jamie Osborne(U20) - 9

Hawkshaw while under sized looks to have the skills and explosivity to be a very good centre if he focuses on there and manages to stay healthy. Turner is similarly sized but bulkier and less explosive/skillful. Osborne has made a huge impact this season, is he a outside centre long term or will he settle elsewhere?

One to watch
Karl Martin(U19)

Back Three
Michael Silvester(U23) - 7
Aaron O’Sullivan(U22) - 7
Max O’Reilly(U21) - 8
Andrew Smith(U21) - 8
Niall Comerford(U21) - 7
Chris Cosgrave(U20) - 8

Silvester has missed most of this season with injury, his future at leinster looks in doubt. Same goes for O'Sullivan. O'Reilly has had some mixed performances this season for leinster when called on in the pro 14.. how he develops physically over the next two-three years will determine his future. Smith and Comerford are in similar situations in regards to need to develop physically with Smith showing more ability to date. I'll be interested to see how Cosgrave gets on for the irish 20's this summer, might be overrating him a bit.

One to watch
Shane Mallon(U19)

[backrower8]

Rating academy/sub-academy players in terms of potential:

9 - potential to be a 1st choice international.
8 - potential to be a european level starter.
7 - potential to be a good squad player at leinster or elsewhere.

LH Prop
Michael Milne(U22) - 8
Marcus Hanan(U21) - 7
Jack Boyle(U19) - 9

Milne has looked good in his limited senior game time, hopefully he can return to senior action this season either in the Rainbow cup or for Leinster A. Haven't seen too much of Hanan but looks to be a solid prospect but doesn't standout in any aspect. There's a lot of hype around Boyle, but much of it looks much deserved, just a matter of time before he develops and matures physically.

TH Prop
Tom Clarkson(U21) - 8
Sam Illo(U20) - 7
Ben Griffin(U20) - 7

Clarkson is a very good rugby player already at 21, questions about his size at the highest level will remain until he answers them. Illo and Griffin should be in contention for irish u20 duty this summer until then it's hard to say if either have greater potential than a squad player.

Hooker
John McKee(U21) - 7
Lee Barron(U20) - 7
Ronan Loughnane(U20) - 7

McKee has missed most of this season with injury, having his irish u20 season cut short can't have helped him develop but based on what i've seen to date that looks about right. Barron and Loughnane should be in contention for irish u20 duty this summer until then it's hard to say if either have greater potential than a squad player.

Lock
Charlie Ryan(U22) - 7
Brian Deeny(U21) - 8
Joe McCarthy(U20) - 7

Deeny has missed all of the season with injury, having his irish u20 season cut short can't have helped him develop but based on what i've seen to date that looks about right given his athletic potential. Ryan has missed most of this season with injury, but given his lack of athleticism this looks right. McCarthy hasn't played much rugby this season, it will be interesting to see how he gets on for the irish u20's this summer.

Backrow
Martin Moloney(U22) - 7
Sean O’Brien(U21) - 8
Alex Soroka(U20) - 9
Mark Hernan(U21) - 7

Moloney has missed most of this season and last season with injury, Hernan still looks very light for a professional openside. SOB looks to have a lot of potential but not sure openside, which he has been playing this season is his best position. Soroka has the potential to be an international in the backrow and lock, it will be interesting to see where he settles.

Scrumhalf
Patrick Patterson(U23) - 7
Cormac Foley(U22) - 7
Ben Murphy(U20) - 7

Patterson has shown the most potential of these three scrumhalves.

Outhalf
Tim Corkery(U20) - 7

Haven't seen a huge amount of him, will watch him with great interest this summer for the irish 20's.

Centre
David Hawkshaw(U22) - 8
Liam Turner(U22) - 7
Jamie Osborne(U20) - 9

Hawkshaw while under sized looks to have the skills and explosivity to be a very good centre if he focuses on there and manages to stay healthy. Turner is similarly sized but bulkier and less explosive/skillful. Osborne has made a huge impact this season, is he a outside centre long term or will he settle elsewhere?

Back Three
Michael Silvester(U23) - 7
Aaron O’Sullivan(U22) - 7
Max O’Reilly(U21) - 8
Andrew Smith(U21) - 8
Niall Comerford(U21) - 7
Chris Cosgrave(U20) - 8

Silvester has missed most of this season with injury, his future at leinster looks in doubt. Same goes for O'Sullivan. O'Reilly has had some mixed performances this season for leinster when called on in the pro 14.. how he develops physically over the next two-three years will determine his future. Smith and Comerford are in similar situations in regards to need to develop physically. I'll be interested to see how Cosgrave gets on for the irish 20's this summer.

Great food for thought. Thank you

[mildlyinterested]

Great food for thought. Thank you

lockdown boredom.. not sure if I've been overly harsh on some.. current u20's I really need to see more of.

[mildlyinterested]

Adam McKendry
@admckendry

Dan McFarland also confirmed that Ulster A will play a double-header friendly against Leinster A and Munster A at the weekend at the IRFU's High Performance Centre - 40 mins against both teams. Not sure exactly how it's going to work but that's how McFarland described it.

[Longtimelurker]

Great write up mildly. Do you think under 20s will go ahead in June? Seen the other day England under 20s have had a few friendlies and France and Italy also had friendlies. Our lads have had nothing only one camp in December. And plenty of them only training remotely except the few with academy places.

[Flash Gordon]

Just looking at Charlie Ryan's name on that list, the Ireland U20's skipper from a couple of years ago. He's been a hot prospect for a while, is over 2m and played Leinster A (skippered them) but doesn't seem to be knocking on the door of selection. Anybody know why? I know he's still only 22 but Baird played on that team and might well make the squad for the Toulon game.

[mildlyinterested]

Great write up mildly. Do you think under 20s will go ahead in June? Seen the other day England under 20s have had a few friendlies and France and Italy also had friendlies. Our lads have had nothing only one camp in December. And plenty of them only training remotely except the few with academy places.

I'd hope so but who knows?

[mildlyinterested]

Just looking at Charlie Ryan's name on that list, the Ireland U20's skipper from a couple of years ago. He's been a hot prospect for a while, is over 2m and played Leinster A (skippered them) but doesn't seem to be knocking on the door of selection. Anybody know why? I know he's still only 22 but Baird played on that team and might well make the squad for the Toulon game.

Ryan got injured playing for the A's this season and hasn't been seen since.. Ryan is only an average athlete for his size, they've spent a lot of time in the academy trying to remake him physically and improve his overall athleticism.. Baird on the other hand is an elite athlete for his size.

[Blue Man]

Rating academy/sub-academy players in terms of potential:

9 - potential to be a 1st choice international.
8 - potential to be a european level starter.
7 - potential to be a good squad player at leinster or elsewhere.

LH Prop
Michael Milne(U22) - 8
Marcus Hanan(U21) - 7
Jack Boyle(U19) - 9

Milne has looked good in his limited senior game time, hopefully he can return to senior action this season either in the Rainbow cup or for Leinster A. Haven't seen too much of Hanan but looks to be a solid prospect but doesn't standout in any aspect. There's a lot of hype around Boyle, but much of it looks much deserved, just a matter of time before he develops and matures physically.

TH Prop
Tom Clarkson(U21) - 8
Sam Illo(U20) - 7
Ben Griffin(U20) - 7

Clarkson is a very good rugby player already at 21, questions about his size at the highest level will remain until he answers them. Illo and Griffin should be in contention for irish u20 duty this summer until then it's hard to say if either have greater potential than a squad player.

Hooker
John McKee(U21) - 7
Lee Barron(U20) - 7
Ronan Loughnane(U20) - 7

McKee has missed most of this season with injury, having his irish u20 season cut short can't have helped him develop but based on what i've seen to date that looks about right. Barron and Loughnane should be in contention for irish u20 duty this summer until then it's hard to say if either have greater potential than a squad player.

Lock
Charlie Ryan(U22) - 7
Brian Deeny(U21) - 8
Joe McCarthy(U20) - 7

Deeny has missed all of the season with injury, having his irish u20 season cut short can't have helped him develop but based on what i've seen to date that looks about right given his athletic potential. Ryan has missed most of this season with injury, but given his lack of athleticism this looks right. McCarthy hasn't played much rugby this season, it will be interesting to see how he gets on for the irish u20's this summer.

Backrow
Martin Moloney(U22) - 7
Sean O’Brien(U21) - 8
Alex Soroka(U20) - 9
Mark Hernan(U21) - 7

Moloney has missed most of this season and last season with injury, Hernan still looks very light for a professional openside. SOB looks to have a lot of potential but not sure openside, which he has been playing this season is his best position. Soroka has the potential to be an international in the backrow and lock, it will be interesting to see where he settles.

Scrumhalf
Patrick Patterson(U23) - 7
Cormac Foley(U22) - 7
Ben Murphy(U20) - 7

Patterson has shown the most potential of these three scrumhalves.

Outhalf
Tim Corkery(U20) - 7

Haven't seen a huge amount of him, will watch him with great interest this summer for the irish 20's.

Centre
David Hawkshaw(U22) - 8
Liam Turner(U22) - 7
Jamie Osborne(U20) - 9

Hawkshaw while under sized looks to have the skills and explosivity to be a very good centre if he focuses on there and manages to stay healthy. Turner is similarly sized but bulkier and less explosive/skillful. Osborne has made a huge impact this season, is he a outside centre long term or will he settle elsewhere?

Back Three
Michael Silvester(U23) - 7
Aaron O’Sullivan(U22) - 7
Max O’Reilly(U21) - 8
Andrew Smith(U21) - 8
Niall Comerford(U21) - 7
Chris Cosgrave(U20) - 8

Silvester has missed most of this season with injury, his future at leinster looks in doubt. Same goes for O'Sullivan. O'Reilly has had some mixed performances this season for leinster when called on in the pro 14.. how he develops physically over the next two-three years will determine his future. Smith and Comerford are in similar situations in regards to need to develop physically. I'll be interested to see how Cosgrave gets on for the irish 20's this summer.

Great work Mildly.
I’m hopeful that Clarkson, Charlie Ryan, Corkery and O’Sullivan might confound your otherwise forensic analysis!

[mildlyinterested]

Rating academy/sub-academy players in terms of potential:

9 - potential to be a 1st choice international.
8 - potential to be a european level starter.
7 - potential to be a good squad player at leinster or elsewhere.

LH Prop
Michael Milne(U22) - 8
Marcus Hanan(U21) - 7
Jack Boyle(U19) - 9

Milne has looked good in his limited senior game time, hopefully he can return to senior action this season either in the Rainbow cup or for Leinster A. Haven't seen too much of Hanan but looks to be a solid prospect but doesn't standout in any aspect. There's a lot of hype around Boyle, but much of it looks much deserved, just a matter of time before he develops and matures physically.

TH Prop
Tom Clarkson(U21) - 8
Sam Illo(U20) - 7
Ben Griffin(U20) - 7

Clarkson is a very good rugby player already at 21, questions about his size at the highest level will remain until he answers them. Illo and Griffin should be in contention for irish u20 duty this summer until then it's hard to say if either have greater potential than a squad player.

Hooker
John McKee(U21) - 7
Lee Barron(U20) - 7
Ronan Loughnane(U20) - 7

McKee has missed most of this season with injury, having his irish u20 season cut short can't have helped him develop but based on what i've seen to date that looks about right. Barron and Loughnane should be in contention for irish u20 duty this summer until then it's hard to say if either have greater potential than a squad player.

Lock
Charlie Ryan(U22) - 7
Brian Deeny(U21) - 8
Joe McCarthy(U20) - 7

Deeny has missed all of the season with injury, having his irish u20 season cut short can't have helped him develop but based on what i've seen to date that looks about right given his athletic potential. Ryan has missed most of this season with injury, but given his lack of athleticism this looks right. McCarthy hasn't played much rugby this season, it will be interesting to see how he gets on for the irish u20's this summer.

Backrow
Martin Moloney(U22) - 7
Sean O’Brien(U21) - 8
Alex Soroka(U20) - 9
Mark Hernan(U21) - 7

Moloney has missed most of this season and last season with injury, Hernan still looks very light for a professional openside. SOB looks to have a lot of potential but not sure openside, which he has been playing this season is his best position. Soroka has the potential to be an international in the backrow and lock, it will be interesting to see where he settles.

Scrumhalf
Patrick Patterson(U23) - 7
Cormac Foley(U22) - 7
Ben Murphy(U20) - 7

Patterson has shown the most potential of these three scrumhalves.

Outhalf
Tim Corkery(U20) - 7

Haven't seen a huge amount of him, will watch him with great interest this summer for the irish 20's.

Centre
David Hawkshaw(U22) - 8
Liam Turner(U22) - 7
Jamie Osborne(U20) - 9

Hawkshaw while under sized looks to have the skills and explosivity to be a very good centre if he focuses on there and manages to stay healthy. Turner is similarly sized but bulkier and less explosive/skillful. Osborne has made a huge impact this season, is he a outside centre long term or will he settle elsewhere?

Back Three
Michael Silvester(U23) - 7
Aaron O’Sullivan(U22) - 7
Max O’Reilly(U21) - 8
Andrew Smith(U21) - 8
Niall Comerford(U21) - 7
Chris Cosgrave(U20) - 8

Silvester has missed most of this season with injury, his future at leinster looks in doubt. Same goes for O'Sullivan. O'Reilly has had some mixed performances this season for leinster when called on in the pro 14.. how he develops physically over the next two-three years will determine his future. Smith and Comerford are in similar situations in regards to need to develop physically. I'll be interested to see how Cosgrave gets on for the irish 20's this summer.

Great work Mildly.
I’m hopeful that Clarkson, Charlie Ryan, Corkery and O’Sullivan might confound your otherwise forensic analysis!

I hope so too. And everyone else.

[ronk]

When Ryan and Baird played together for the 20s I saw it as a contrast between a smart leader without top end athleticism versus an elite athlete.

Barring major flaws in their game (such as having just taken up rugby), the latter will usually break through a lot faster. Doesn’t mean the others aren’t worth a shot.

[Jonny tight lips]

Rating academy/sub-academy players in terms of potential:

9 - potential to be a 1st choice international.
8 - potential to be a european level starter.
7 - potential to be a good squad player at leinster or elsewhere.

LH Prop
Michael Milne(U22) - 8
Marcus Hanan(U21) - 7
Jack Boyle(U19) - 9

Milne has looked good in his limited senior game time, hopefully he can return to senior action this season either in the Rainbow cup or for Leinster A. Haven't seen too much of Hanan but looks to be a solid prospect but doesn't standout in any aspect. There's a lot of hype around Boyle, but much of it looks much deserved, just a matter of time before he develops and matures physically.

TH Prop
Tom Clarkson(U21) - 8
Sam Illo(U20) - 7
Ben Griffin(U20) - 7

Clarkson is a very good rugby player already at 21, questions about his size at the highest level will remain until he answers them. Illo and Griffin should be in contention for irish u20 duty this summer until then it's hard to say if either have greater potential than a squad player.

Hooker
John McKee(U21) - 7
Lee Barron(U20) - 7
Ronan Loughnane(U20) - 7

McKee has missed most of this season with injury, having his irish u20 season cut short can't have helped him develop but based on what i've seen to date that looks about right. Barron and Loughnane should be in contention for irish u20 duty this summer until then it's hard to say if either have greater potential than a squad player.

Lock
Charlie Ryan(U22) - 7
Brian Deeny(U21) - 8
Joe McCarthy(U20) - 7

Deeny has missed all of the season with injury, having his irish u20 season cut short can't have helped him develop but based on what i've seen to date that looks about right given his athletic potential. Ryan has missed most of this season with injury, but given his lack of athleticism this looks right. McCarthy hasn't played much rugby this season, it will be interesting to see how he gets on for the irish u20's this summer.

Backrow
Martin Moloney(U22) - 7
Sean O’Brien(U21) - 8
Alex Soroka(U20) - 9
Mark Hernan(U21) - 7

Moloney has missed most of this season and last season with injury, Hernan still looks very light for a professional openside. SOB looks to have a lot of potential but not sure openside, which he has been playing this season is his best position. Soroka has the potential to be an international in the backrow and lock, it will be interesting to see where he settles.

Scrumhalf
Patrick Patterson(U23) - 7
Cormac Foley(U22) - 7
Ben Murphy(U20) - 7

Patterson has shown the most potential of these three scrumhalves.

Outhalf
Tim Corkery(U20) - 7

Haven't seen a huge amount of him, will watch him with great interest this summer for the irish 20's.

Centre
David Hawkshaw(U22) - 8
Liam Turner(U22) - 7
Jamie Osborne(U20) - 9

Hawkshaw while under sized looks to have the skills and explosivity to be a very good centre if he focuses on there and manages to stay healthy. Turner is similarly sized but bulkier and less explosive/skillful. Osborne has made a huge impact this season, is he a outside centre long term or will he settle elsewhere?

Back Three
Michael Silvester(U23) - 7
Aaron O’Sullivan(U22) - 7
Max O’Reilly(U21) - 8
Andrew Smith(U21) - 8
Niall Comerford(U21) - 7
Chris Cosgrave(U20) - 8

Silvester has missed most of this season with injury, his future at leinster looks in doubt. Same goes for O'Sullivan. O'Reilly has had some mixed performances this season for leinster when called on in the pro 14.. how he develops physically over the next two-three years will determine his future. Smith and Comerford are in similar situations in regards to need to develop physically. I'll be interested to see how Cosgrave gets on for the irish 20's this summer.

Great read man, will be interesting to see if the 3rd years with limited game time such as Maloney, O Sullivan and Silvester get kept on.

Milne, Hawkshaw and with an early graduation Clarkson seem certain to get senior contracts for next year.

[mildlyinterested]

Rating academy/sub-academy players in terms of potential:

9 - potential to be a 1st choice international.
8 - potential to be a european level starter.
7 - potential to be a good squad player at leinster or elsewhere.

LH Prop
Michael Milne(U22) - 8
Marcus Hanan(U21) - 7
Jack Boyle(U19) - 9

Milne has looked good in his limited senior game time, hopefully he can return to senior action this season either in the Rainbow cup or for Leinster A. Haven't seen too much of Hanan but looks to be a solid prospect but doesn't standout in any aspect. There's a lot of hype around Boyle, but much of it looks much deserved, just a matter of time before he develops and matures physically.

TH Prop
Tom Clarkson(U21) - 8
Sam Illo(U20) - 7
Ben Griffin(U20) - 7

Clarkson is a very good rugby player already at 21, questions about his size at the highest level will remain until he answers them. Illo and Griffin should be in contention for irish u20 duty this summer until then it's hard to say if either have greater potential than a squad player.

Hooker
John McKee(U21) - 7
Lee Barron(U20) - 7
Ronan Loughnane(U20) - 7

McKee has missed most of this season with injury, having his irish u20 season cut short can't have helped him develop but based on what i've seen to date that looks about right. Barron and Loughnane should be in contention for irish u20 duty this summer until then it's hard to say if either have greater potential than a squad player.

Lock
Charlie Ryan(U22) - 7
Brian Deeny(U21) - 8
Joe McCarthy(U20) - 7

Deeny has missed all of the season with injury, having his irish u20 season cut short can't have helped him develop but based on what i've seen to date that looks about right given his athletic potential. Ryan has missed most of this season with injury, but given his lack of athleticism this looks right. McCarthy hasn't played much rugby this season, it will be interesting to see how he gets on for the irish u20's this summer.

Backrow
Martin Moloney(U22) - 7
Sean O’Brien(U21) - 8
Alex Soroka(U20) - 9
Mark Hernan(U21) - 7

Moloney has missed most of this season and last season with injury, Hernan still looks very light for a professional openside. SOB looks to have a lot of potential but not sure openside, which he has been playing this season is his best position. Soroka has the potential to be an international in the backrow and lock, it will be interesting to see where he settles.

Scrumhalf
Patrick Patterson(U23) - 7
Cormac Foley(U22) - 7
Ben Murphy(U20) - 7

Patterson has shown the most potential of these three scrumhalves.

Outhalf
Tim Corkery(U20) - 7

Haven't seen a huge amount of him, will watch him with great interest this summer for the irish 20's.

Centre
David Hawkshaw(U22) - 8
Liam Turner(U22) - 7
Jamie Osborne(U20) - 9

Hawkshaw while under sized looks to have the skills and explosivity to be a very good centre if he focuses on there and manages to stay healthy. Turner is similarly sized but bulkier and less explosive/skillful. Osborne has made a huge impact this season, is he a outside centre long term or will he settle elsewhere?

Back Three
Michael Silvester(U23) - 7
Aaron O’Sullivan(U22) - 7
Max O’Reilly(U21) - 8
Andrew Smith(U21) - 8
Niall Comerford(U21) - 7
Chris Cosgrave(U20) - 8

Silvester has missed most of this season with injury, his future at leinster looks in doubt. Same goes for O'Sullivan. O'Reilly has had some mixed performances this season for leinster when called on in the pro 14.. how he develops physically over the next two-three years will determine his future. Smith and Comerford are in similar situations in regards to need to develop physically. I'll be interested to see how Cosgrave gets on for the irish 20's this summer.

Great read man, will be interesting to see if the 3rd years with limited game time such as Maloney, O Sullivan and Silvester get kept on.

Milne, Hawkshaw and with an early graduation Clarkson seem certain to get senior contracts for next year.

FYI - Moloney is Year 2

Year 3 - Milne, Patterson, Hawkshaw, Silvester, O'Sullivan.

[mildlyinterested]

Karl Martin from Boyne/Belvo and Leinster sub academy joining the Montpellier Academy on a 3 year deal.

Leisnter wanted him to do another season in sub academy. Major loss from club game.

[hugonaut]

Karl Martin from Boyne/Belvo and Leinster sub academy joining the Montpellier Academy on a 3 year deal.

Leisnter wanted him to do another season in sub academy. Major loss from club game.

Just saw that. Disappointing, he's supposed to be a very good player. I think it's very hard on guys to do two years in the sub-Academy, although I understand why Leinster might ask them to given recent circumstances with regards to Covid-19 restrictions.

[mildlyinterested]

Irish rugby can't afford to be losing talents like Hickey and Martin.

Leinster rugby can't be losing talents like Martin given his background and athletic ability from system. Very disappointing, Leinster had every opportunity to retain him..

[blaker]

Irish rugby can't afford to be losing talents like Hickey and Martin.

Leinster rugby can't be losing talents like Martin given his background and athletic ability from system. Very disappointing, Leinster had every opportunity to retain him..

Is there a reason they didn’t?

3 year academy contract he’s taken - so not like he’s made a huge leap up the ladder.

[mildlyinterested]

Irish rugby can't afford to be losing talents like Hickey and Martin.

Leinster rugby can't be losing talents like Martin given his background and athletic ability from system. Very disappointing, Leinster had every opportunity to retain him..

Is there a reason they didn’t?

3 year academy contract he’s taken - so not like he’s made a huge leap up the ladder.

Heard they wanted him to do another season in the sub academy due to lack of rugby this season.