Ireland U20's 2022

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I know it was never going to happen but personally I’d have Karl Martin in there. To me it doesn’t make sense to risk alienating players at such a young age. Keep them involved, get them building friendships with players and coaches, and then it’s easier to bring them back in future.

I would hope there’s some kind of links still there but to me it’s a no brainer to bring someone like him into this squad. To me it’s different to when players are a bit older.

[the spoofer]

I know it was never going to happen but personally I’d have Karl Martin in there. To me it doesn’t make sense to risk alienating players at such a young age. Keep them involved, get them building friendships with players and coaches, and then it’s easier to bring them back in future.

I would hope there’s some kind of links still there but to me it’s a no brainer to bring someone like him into this squad. To me it’s different to when players are a bit older.

I wonder is it a coincidence that two Boyne players have gone down this route?

[mildlyinterested]

I know it was never going to happen but personally I’d have Karl Martin in there. To me it doesn’t make sense to risk alienating players at such a young age. Keep them involved, get them building friendships with players and coaches, and then it’s easier to bring them back in future.

I would hope there’s some kind of links still there but to me it’s a no brainer to bring someone like him into this squad. To me it’s different to when players are a bit older.

I wonder is it a coincidence that two Boyne players have gone down this route?

cant blame Martin for going, leinster mad to not offer him an academy contract, but I guess they have three others centres at this age grade.

[Flash Gordon]

I know it was never going to happen but personally I’d have Karl Martin in there. To me it doesn’t make sense to risk alienating players at such a young age. Keep them involved, get them building friendships with players and coaches, and then it’s easier to bring them back in future.

I would hope there’s some kind of links still there but to me it’s a no brainer to bring someone like him into this squad. To me it’s different to when players are a bit older.

Understand the rationale but is he that standard? I know it was a weird game but I didn't see a lot to impress me when he played against us.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I know it was never going to happen but personally I’d have Karl Martin in there. To me it doesn’t make sense to risk alienating players at such a young age. Keep them involved, get them building friendships with players and coaches, and then it’s easier to bring them back in future.

I would hope there’s some kind of links still there but to me it’s a no brainer to bring someone like him into this squad. To me it’s different to when players are a bit older.

Understand the rationale but is he that standard? I know it was a weird game but I didn't see a lot to impress me when he played against us.

I wouldn't judge him on that game but yeah I should have qualified it with "if he's good enough". I'm assuming he is good enough to be there but might be wrong.

[Lock9541]

I know it was never going to happen but personally I’d have Karl Martin in there. To me it doesn’t make sense to risk alienating players at such a young age. Keep them involved, get them building friendships with players and coaches, and then it’s easier to bring them back in future.

I would hope there’s some kind of links still there but to me it’s a no brainer to bring someone like him into this squad. To me it’s different to when players are a bit older.

In this age group they already have Brownlee, Hawkshaw and Gibbons who are all very highly rated tbf

[ormond lad]

I know it was never going to happen but personally I’d have Karl Martin in there. To me it doesn’t make sense to risk alienating players at such a young age. Keep them involved, get them building friendships with players and coaches, and then it’s easier to bring them back in future.

I would hope there’s some kind of links still there but to me it’s a no brainer to bring someone like him into this squad. To me it’s different to when players are a bit older.

Understand the rationale but is he that standard? I know it was a weird game but I didn't see a lot to impress me when he played against us.

Essentially a first year academy player playing champions cup though so how much were you expecting of him? especially as it was his first team debut.

[ormond lad]

Couple of players have been called up to train with squad. Dylan Murphy joining camp this week. Dont know any other names who are also training with squad

[Flash Gordon]

I know it was never going to happen but personally I’d have Karl Martin in there. To me it doesn’t make sense to risk alienating players at such a young age. Keep them involved, get them building friendships with players and coaches, and then it’s easier to bring them back in future.

I would hope there’s some kind of links still there but to me it’s a no brainer to bring someone like him into this squad. To me it’s different to when players are a bit older.

Understand the rationale but is he that standard? I know it was a weird game but I didn't see a lot to impress me when he played against us.

I wouldn't judge him on that game but yeah I should have qualified it with "if he's good enough". I'm assuming he is good enough to be there but might be wrong.

That's absolutely fair. However he didn't get picked up by the Leinster academy and hasn't played another game for Montpellier so I wondered. I have see nothing of the lad beyond the RDS so was curious.

[ormond lad]

Understand the rationale but is he that standard? I know it was a weird game but I didn't see a lot to impress me when he played against us.

I wouldn't judge him on that game but yeah I should have qualified it with "if he's good enough". I'm assuming he is good enough to be there but might be wrong.

That's absolutely fair. However he didn't get picked up by the Leinster academy and hasn't played another game for Montpellier so I wondered. I have see nothing of the lad beyond the RDS so was curious.

only first year academy so is not playing much more beyond this game really an issue? Im surprised Leinster didnt pick him up but covid will have been big factor in this and considering he has been on radar since he was 15 and played irish 18s for 3 years if Leinster didnt pick him for full deal immediately then he was bound to be picked up elsewhere.
Bit harsh to be judging him based on that game against Leinster as well. debut, away against your hometown team etc etc

[Ruckedtobits]

Given the pattern of development in Ulster in recent years, it's fascinating to see seven out of 17 Ulster forwards in the U.20 Squad, but no backs. Any indications whether this is because of a specific policy change in Ulster or just a random effect?

[mildlyinterested]

Given the pattern of development in Ulster in recent years, it's fascinating to see seven out of 17 Ulster forwards in the U.20 Squad, but no backs. Any indications whether this is because of a specific policy change in Ulster or just a random effect?

two of their best backs from this age group who played last year are missing due to injury.

then of the 7 forwards, 3 of this group are u19 - Hanlon, Wilson and McNabney.

It will be interesting to see if Ulster have many starters in the forwards.

[mildlyinterested]

Irish u20 side will be named today apparently.

[JB1973]

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/ ... ales-u20s/

That's the welsh team, jac Lloyd on the bench is brother of ioan the Bristol and wales player, Hawkins has played for the ospreys

The scarlets centre james is highly touted so is mann the captain, Houston on the wing plays for Swansea RFC and looks a good player but is a bit small,. not seen many of the others as they have barely played with all the covid cancellations

[mildlyinterested]

welsh starting locks are huge, Joe Peard - 6'7 125kg & Lewis Jones - 6'8, 120kg

[mildlyinterested]

Ireland U20s (v Wales):
15. Patrick Campbell (Young Munster RFC/Munster)

14. Chay Mullins (Bristol Bears/IQ Rugby)

13. Fionn Gibbons (UCD RFC/Leinster)

12. Ben Brownlee (Blackrock College/Leinster)

11. Shane Mallon (UCD RFC/Leinster)

10. Charlie Tector (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)

9. Matthew Devine (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)

1. Jack Boyle (UCD/Leinster)

2. James McCormick (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)

3. Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster)

4. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)

5. Mark Morrissey (UCD RFC/Leinster)

6. James McNabney (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)

7. Reuben Crothers (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)(Captain).

8. James Culhane (UCD RFC/Leinster).

Replacements:

16. Josh Hanlon (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)

17. Oisin Michel (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)

18. Rory McGuire (UCD/Leinster)

19. Adam McNamee (Malone RFC/Ulster)

20. Ronan O’Sullivan (Highfield RFC/Munster)

21. Ethan Coughlan (Shannon RFC/Munster)

22. Tony Butler (Garryowen FC/Munster)

23. Aitzol King (Clontarf FC/Leinster).

[sunshiner1]

Apparently Jude Postlethwaite(Ulster/Centre) has signed a 4 year contract at Ulster So he must be well regarded. Strange that he's playing 7's and not Under 20's if that highly rated.

Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast/Ulster) and James McNabney (Ballymena RFC/Ulster) are well thought of as well. Looks like a good batch this year.

[Keith]

I know it was never going to happen but personally I’d have Karl Martin in there. To me it doesn’t make sense to risk alienating players at such a young age. Keep them involved, get them building friendships with players and coaches, and then it’s easier to bring them back in future.

I would hope there’s some kind of links still there but to me it’s a no brainer to bring someone like him into this squad. To me it’s different to when players are a bit older.

Completely agree that players like Martin should be in the squad, if good enough. It doesn't make any sense to me that they call up IQ lads from English clubs but can't call up Martin? Let's face it, if guys like Martin get to anywhere near even Euro standard they will have at least one of the provinces clamoring to sign him at some stage. There's absolutely no guarantee that these IQ lads will stay withing the system.

[mildlyinterested]

I know it was never going to happen but personally I’d have Karl Martin in there. To me it doesn’t make sense to risk alienating players at such a young age. Keep them involved, get them building friendships with players and coaches, and then it’s easier to bring them back in future.

I would hope there’s some kind of links still there but to me it’s a no brainer to bring someone like him into this squad. To me it’s different to when players are a bit older.

Completely agree that players like Martin should be in the squad, if good enough. It doesn't make any sense to me that they call up IQ lads from English clubs but can't call up Martin? Let's face it, if guys like Martin get to anywhere near even Euro standard they will have at least one of the provinces clamoring to sign him at some stage. There's absolutely no guarantee that these IQ lads will stay withing the system.

Martin left the irish system by choice, leaving that system means you forfeit the ability to play for Ireland..

[Keith]

I know it was never going to happen but personally I’d have Karl Martin in there. To me it doesn’t make sense to risk alienating players at such a young age. Keep them involved, get them building friendships with players and coaches, and then it’s easier to bring them back in future.

I would hope there’s some kind of links still there but to me it’s a no brainer to bring someone like him into this squad. To me it’s different to when players are a bit older.

Completely agree that players like Martin should be in the squad, if good enough. It doesn't make any sense to me that they call up IQ lads from English clubs but can't call up Martin? Let's face it, if guys like Martin get to anywhere near even Euro standard they will have at least one of the provinces clamoring to sign him at some stage. There's absolutely no guarantee that these IQ lads will stay withing the system.

Martin left the irish system by choice, leaving that system means you forfeit the ability to play for Ireland..

I know, I'm saying I disagree with that system with the underage lads. I find it incredibly contradictory in that the IQ lads playing in England are just as likely to represent England, just look at the likes of George McGuigan and Dan Kelly. (I'm not saying that we should get rid of the exile system at all btw).

To be honest, it's absolutely crazy to alienate players this young. At the end of the day there's only so many spots available in provincial academies, you can't blame a fella for taking up an opportunity abroad.