Ireland U20's 2022

[mildlyinterested]

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 than us, just look at the likes of George McGuigan and Dan Kelly.

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.

I agree, but I guess the IRFU want to keep the current system in place which involves sub-academies and cheap academy contracts.

[ronk]

They're not punishing anyone, it's a practical matter though.

Exiles can play for the 20s but they have to come to a province to play for the senior Irish team. When they're academy players it wouldn't be fair to exclude them. Pro players can move.

Someone who leaves is different. They had their chance so why should an exception be made for them. If they want to play later they can come back. It's not fair on the lads who stay and train together.

[Oldschoolsocks]

They're not punishing anyone, it's a practical matter though.

Exiles can play for the 20s but they have to come to a province to play for the senior Irish team. When they're academy players it wouldn't be fair to exclude them. Pro players can move.

Someone who leaves is different. They had their chance so why should an exception be made for them. If they want to play later they can come back. It's not fair on the lads who stay and train together.

was Martin offered a contract?

[ronk]

Well I don't know.

Doesn't really matter. If not then why should he bypass the players who were ahead of him without a body of work to cite.

If yes then he knew he was putting himself at a temporary disadvantage.

[Oldschoolsocks]

Ah OK, but if he wasn’t offered a contract, but is good enough he should come home before being considered for selection. That’s pretty consistent I think.

[mildlyinterested]

Ireland u20 squad breakdown:

LH Prop
Jack Boyle (19/St. Michaels College/UCD/Leinster) - 6'1, 106kg*
Oisin Michel (Cill Dara RFC/Lansdowne/Leinster)

Jack Boyle starts the first game of the campaign which is hardly a surprise given his reputation at underage level and previous experience at this level. The highly rated loosehead will be relied up heavily by this years squad in the ball carrying stakes. He is joined by his fellow leinster man Oisin Michel, who is built more like Jack McGrath than Cian Healy, Michel will be hoping to use his considerable bulk off the bench against wales.

TH Prop
Rory McGuire (Blackrock/UCD/Leinster) - 6'4, 118kg
Darragh McSweeney (PBC Cork/Shannon/Munster)
Scott Wilson (Wallace/Queens/Ulster)

Scott Wilson, who is under-19, gets the first at tighthead over Rory McGuire. Wilson is known for his strong scrummaging on both sides of the scrum. Rory McGuire not starting is something of a surprise after he started all three warmup games, leaving the last with injury, a physically huge prop by irish standards, he will be looking to make an impact off the bench. Finally McSweeney missed out all the warm up games and will be hoping to take his chance when it arrives.

Hooker
James McCormick (Dalradia/Ballymena/Ulster) - 6'0, 106kg
Josh Hanlon (Down HS/Ballynahinch/Ulster) - 6'0, 103kg

James McCormick starts the first game up, the ulster academy hooker is an very good athlete for the position with a strong try scoring record in the AIL. Josh Hanlon, who is under-19, is on the bench behind his fellow ulster team-mate, not much is known about Hanlon given the covid-19 pandemic.

Lock
Mark Morrissey (Blackrock/UCD/Leinster) - 6'5, 98kg*
Conor O’Tighearnaigh (St. Michaels/UCD/Leinster)
Adam McNamee (Methody/Malone/Ulster) - 6'5, 110kg
John Glasgow (City of Armagh RFC/Ulster) - 6'6, 117kg

Mark Morrissey returns from last season, he has spent a large part of the season to date trying to bulk up, the lineout specialist will be an important leader in the pack. Conor O’Tighearnaigh starts alongside Morrissey, the big leinster man is somewhat of an unknown but he will be hoping to make a big impact. Adam McNamee is on the bench as 2nd row cover, he is more of a lineout lock from what I can gather. Finally John Glasgow is a unknown quantity, who wasnt involved with ulster in the summer but has used a strong AIL season to push for contention, by all accounts Glasgow is a big physical tighthead lock. Edwin Edogbo is a notable absentee from this group due to injury.

Backrow
Reuben Crothers (Wallace/Ballynahinch/Ulster) - 6'1, 97kg*
James Culhane (Blackrock/UCD/Leinster) - 6'4, 107kg
James McNabney (Cambridge House/Ballymena/Ulster)- 6'5, 107kg
Conor Moloney (Ennis RFC/Young Munster/Munster) - 6'3, 110kg
Jack O’Sullivan (Cobh RFC/UCC/Munster)
Ronan O’Sullivan (CBC Cork/Highfield/Munster)

Rueben Crothers returns for a 2nd season this year as captain, the openside will is known for his carrying but should be strong at the breakdown. James Culhane starts at 8, the physical backrower has emerged as a starter for ireland quite late, meanwhile James McNabney, who is under-19, starts at 6. McNabney is an excellent athlete and offers a strong ball carrying option. In the biggest surprise of the squad Ronan O'Sullivan is named on the bench, O'Sullivan is a former hooker and plays across the backrow. Conor Moloney is absent from the 23 after playing for Munster earlier in the season, it's possible this is because his lack of versatility. Finally Jack O'Sullivan is also absent from the squad, the openside probably needs an injury to force his way into the 23.

Scrumhalf
Matthew Devine (19/Corinthians/Connacht) - 5'10, 84kg
Ethan Coughlan (19/Ennis RFC/Shannon/Munster) - 5'9, 81kg
Adam Maher (19/Rockwell/Young Munster/Munster) - 5'9, 87kg

Matthew Devine is named to start, which is a surprise to some given Coughlan has appeared for Munster this season. However Devine is highly rated in Connacht and is a dual threat option from 9. Coughlan doesn't offer as big a threat to break but will look to up the pace of play when he comes on. Finally Adam Maher makes the squad after a strong season for Young Munster in the AIL.

Outhalf
Charlie Tector (Kilkenny/Lansdowne/Leinster)
Tony Butler (Ennis RFC/Garryowen/Munster)

Charlie Tector is named to start for the 20's, the talent wexford man was expected to be start for last years squad but injury ruled him out. His competition comes from clare man Tony Butler, who has appeared for Munster this season and is having a strong season for Garryowen. Notable that both outhalves were strong hurlers as young men before focusing on rugby.

Centre
Fionn Gibbons (19/Castleknock/UCD) - 6'4, 100kg
Ben Brownlee (19/Blackrock/UCD) - 6'2, 96kg
Daniel Hawkshaw (19/Belvedere/Clontarf) - 6'3, 90kg
Daniel Squires (PBC Cork/UCC/Munster)

Fionn Gibbons starts at outside centre and brings rare size for an irish centre, after turning down a move to Toulon over the summer Gibbons will be looking to make a big impact this six nations. Alongside him Ben Brownlee starts at 12, Brownlee has been impressive for UCD this season and is more of a traditional centre than a 2nd playmaker. Daniel Hawkshaw is more of a 2nd playmaker type and will hope to get a chance in one of the remaining games. Finally Daniel Squires makes the squad after impressing in the warmup games and for UCC.

Back Three
Patrick Campbell (PBC Cork/Young Munster/Munster) - 5'10, 88kg
Chay Mullins (Exile/Bristol Bears) - 6'3, 95kg
Aitzol King (Balbriggan RFC/Clontarf/Leinster) - 6'3, 97kg
Dylan O’Grady (Belvedere/UCD/Leinster)
Shane Mallon (Longford RFC-Roscrea/UCD/Leinster) - 6'0, 93kg

Patrick Campbell starts at fullback after impressing for Munster in europe, an explosive athlete with footballing skills he is the potential to be a star in this side. Chay Mullins starts on the right wing, he appeared last season for the irish 20s and irish 7's this year and is a physically impressive player. Shane Mallon starts at 11 which is somewhat of a surprise as he hasn't played much rugby this season, Mallon comes from the longford/leitrim border and has a strong background in GAA. Aizol King is named on the bench and covers wing and fullback, the powerful athlete could make a big impact from the bench. Finally Dylan O'Grady is a versatile outside back whose been in very good form this season for UCD.

[the spoofer]

Good to see the club stream providing so many to the 20's. Decent representation.

[Lock9541]

What year did Tector finish school?

[mildlyinterested]

What year did Tector finish school?

2020

[mildlyinterested]

Good to see the club stream providing so many to the 20's. Decent representation.

i thought there might have been more, no Popplwell Jr for example is a surprise somewhat.

[the spoofer]

Good to see the club stream providing so many to the 20's. Decent representation.

i thought there might have been more, no Popplwell Jr for example is a surprise somewhat.

Still, I remember the days when clubs were lucky to get 1 or 2 players in the squad.

[mildlyinterested]

Good to see the club stream providing so many to the 20's. Decent representation.

i thought there might have been more, no Popplwell Jr for example is a surprise somewhat.

Still, I remember the days when clubs were lucky to get 1 or 2 players in the squad.

True.

[Lock9541]

Good to see the club stream providing so many to the 20's. Decent representation.

i thought there might have been more, no Popplwell Jr for example is a surprise somewhat.

There’s some players not involved due to Covid / returning from minor injuries

[mildlyinterested]

Good to see the club stream providing so many to the 20's. Decent representation.

i thought there might have been more, no Popplwell Jr for example is a surprise somewhat.

There’s some players not involved due to Covid

like who?

Popplewell was playing AIL last weekend so its not him.

[Lock9541]

i thought there might have been more, no Popplwell Jr for example is a surprise somewhat.

There’s some players not involved due to Covid

like who?

Popplewell was playing AIL last weekend so its not him.

Players in the backs

[mildlyinterested]

There’s some players not involved due to Covid

like who?

Popplewell was playing AIL last weekend so its not him.

Players in the backs

care to be a bit more specific, I don't see any players who are notably absent.

[mildlyinterested]

20s about to start.

[Lock9541]

Shocking call from the ref, ball was clearly out of the ruck

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Boyle was the one to track across from midfield and take the winger there

Gibbons should be off IMO, think he took a cheap shot on the deck after he’d called the mark but it was incredibly stupid to lead with his head like that.

[Dave Cahill]

Gibbons should be off IMO, think he took a cheap shot on the deck after he’d called the mark but it was incredibly stupid to lead with his head like that.

Yeah, he'll get a couple of weeks for that