youd hope so.hugonaut wrote: ↑January 21st, 2021, 10:35 amThis is all very, very unlikely.mildlyinterested wrote: ↑January 21st, 2021, 7:39 am Neil Francis on academy changes
The whole academy system is now being reviewed and it will be streamlined – significantly.
Peter Malone is no longer the director of the Munster Academy and Peter Smyth, the head of elite player development, is currently seconded to the Munster Academy. Nobody knows how long he'll be there or what the next step will be.
The plan currently being proposed is for a national academy based, say, in Athlone or even Blanchardstown. All the provincial academies would be discontinued and all the talent would be schooled in the national academy.
At the end of the season the talent would be farmed out.
If Munster need a prop or Ulster need a centre they are picked out of the national academy, irrespective of where they live or were brought up or whether they always dreamed of playing in blue, red etc.
Some of the provinces have had slim pickings from their academies in recent years – others (like Leinster) have been spectacularly successful in sustained excellence in the quality of players that they have produced.
Go through the Leinster team when it is announced on Friday and see how many in the squad are academy graduates.
This, in theory, is an efficient way of distributing talent throughout the four provinces – but it will do serious damage to Leinster who have already provided too much talent for everyone else.
Leinster Academy 2021-22
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- Leo Cullen
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Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
It would be an exceptionally bad way of developing talent for several reasons, one of the most obvious being that academy players often get senior caps.
You’d get a big Munster academy, not a big Leinster one.
Also worth pointing out that Athlone is marginally closer, over worse roads and public transport than Cork and Limerick. And further away from Dublin and Belfast. It doesn’t have an airport either. i.e. it would increase travel times and costs.
You’d get a big Munster academy, not a big Leinster one.
Also worth pointing out that Athlone is marginally closer, over worse roads and public transport than Cork and Limerick. And further away from Dublin and Belfast. It doesn’t have an airport either. i.e. it would increase travel times and costs.
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- Rob Kearney
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Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
Sounds like an idea from the Minutes of an IRFU Committee meeting of c. 2007-8 or an idea from the Munster Reps on the IRFU c.2021 as to how to derail the production rate of the Leinster Academy. Whichever, it's a cr@p idea and hopefully will be seen as such. Absolutely no integrity in the idea.
One practise which was initiated by the Leinster Academy was the effective integration of the Academy players with Senior players in training post MO'C. This accelerated development by encouraging competition and ensured that nobody could rest on their reputation at any point in the week's training. Other Academies, and not just in Ireland, have followed this pattern in recent years and the evidence is now apparent in places as far apart as Toulouse, Exeter, Munster and Clermont.
The idea of isolating a single group of National Academy players away from all such interaction with senior players is madness and even Francis should be able to recognise that the idea is both unworkable and detrimental to player development. The French tried it for a full decade in Marcoussis, the National Centre for Rugby just outside Paris and it proved unsuccessful.
One practise which was initiated by the Leinster Academy was the effective integration of the Academy players with Senior players in training post MO'C. This accelerated development by encouraging competition and ensured that nobody could rest on their reputation at any point in the week's training. Other Academies, and not just in Ireland, have followed this pattern in recent years and the evidence is now apparent in places as far apart as Toulouse, Exeter, Munster and Clermont.
The idea of isolating a single group of National Academy players away from all such interaction with senior players is madness and even Francis should be able to recognise that the idea is both unworkable and detrimental to player development. The French tried it for a full decade in Marcoussis, the National Centre for Rugby just outside Paris and it proved unsuccessful.
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- Knowledgeable
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Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
Is there any truth in Peter Smyth being seconded to the Munster academy position?
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- Leo Cullen
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Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
Yep he coached Munster A to a win over Leinster.erskinechilders wrote: ↑January 21st, 2021, 4:48 pm Is there any truth in Peter Smyth being seconded to the Munster academy position?
Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
End of provincial rugby if it happens. Identity is key to the provinces.
"This is breathless stuff.....it's on again. Contepomi out to Hickie,D'Arcy,Hickie.......................HICKIE FOR THE CORNER! THAT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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- Leo Cullen
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Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
Doing a review of the academies and you'd probably say only Tom Clarkson is the best academy prospect at his position in the leinster academy when comparing to the other provinces.
Obviously theres been quite a few top talents leave the leinster academy early in recent seasons but it is probably at it's weakest talent-wise in some time.
Obviously theres been quite a few top talents leave the leinster academy early in recent seasons but it is probably at it's weakest talent-wise in some time.
Last edited by mildlyinterested on January 22nd, 2021, 3:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Mullet
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Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
Maybe Joe McCarthy alongside Ahern in the second row and Andrew Smith on the wing.mildlyinterested wrote: ↑January 22nd, 2021, 10:14 am Doing a review of the academies and you'd probably say only Tom Clarkson is the best academy prospect at his position in the leinster academy when comparing to the other provinces.
Obviously theres bee quite a few top talents leave the leinster academy early in recent seasons but it is probably at it's weakest talent-wise in some time.
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- Leo Cullen
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Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
Not for me at the minute.leinsterforever wrote: ↑January 22nd, 2021, 3:00 pmMaybe Joe McCarthy alongside Ahern in the second row and Andrew Smith on the wing.mildlyinterested wrote: ↑January 22nd, 2021, 10:14 am Doing a review of the academies and you'd probably say only Tom Clarkson is the best academy prospect at his position in the leinster academy when comparing to the other provinces.
Obviously theres bee quite a few top talents leave the leinster academy early in recent seasons but it is probably at it's weakest talent-wise in some time.
Probably take Izzy at lock based on his improvement to date and his athletic upside and size.
Aaron Sexton ahead of Smith.
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- Mullet
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Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
Haven’t seen enough of Sexton yet but talk from Ulster that while his freakish speed dazzles his rugby smarts haven’t caught up yet.mildlyinterested wrote: ↑January 22nd, 2021, 3:01 pmNot for me at the minute.leinsterforever wrote: ↑January 22nd, 2021, 3:00 pmMaybe Joe McCarthy alongside Ahern in the second row and Andrew Smith on the wing.mildlyinterested wrote: ↑January 22nd, 2021, 10:14 am Doing a review of the academies and you'd probably say only Tom Clarkson is the best academy prospect at his position in the leinster academy when comparing to the other provinces.
Obviously theres bee quite a few top talents leave the leinster academy early in recent seasons but it is probably at it's weakest talent-wise in some time.
Probably take Izzy at lock based on his improvement to date and his athletic upside and size.
Aaron Sexton ahead of Smith.
Watching his amazing speed across the ground against the A’s last week, he reminds me of Derek O’Connor who was on our school team in the early 80s. He held the Irish 100m, 200m & 400m records at different stages. Was only white man in final of US College track finals in his first year of running the 400m. Made 200m semis of European Championships very young. His career declined rapidly as he couldn’t come to terms with being away from home on scholarship in the US.
When our out-half kicked ahead and Derek set off, referees would frequently call a late offside decision supposedly for being in front of the kicker. Our Captain would try and explain to the referee that the fastest Irishman in history was playing on the left wing and to think again before whistling.
As for leading academy talent, I think that both Jack Boyle (LH) & Lee Barron (Hooker) in sub-academy may well meet your criteria when they enter the Academy proper. Barron, a 6’3” baller, excites most by way of his darts.
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- Leo Cullen
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Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
Boyle has that potential, once he fills out.
Tom Stewart(Ulster) looks a level above Barron to me in terms of prospect.
Tom Stewart(Ulster) looks a level above Barron to me in terms of prospect.
Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
It would be a shame if Aaron Sexton doesn't master the basics. He could be another Jonny May if he does. His teammate, McIlroy, looks a talent.
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- Leo Cullen
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Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
Rumour that Will Hickey didn't make the 20s squad and has signed for Ospreys
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- Leo Cullen
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- Beginner
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Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
Very suprising to see Will Hickey cut very good captain material and leadership skills . Has great work rate and hunger .
Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
I presume they have to carry a smaller sub academy group this year than usual, and rate Hernan higher maybe?
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- Leo Cullen
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Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
Presumably rate Hernan higher as a 7 and Soroka higher as a 6/8.
Very difficult to make leinster sub academy as a backrow. And not sure exactly what hickey does outstandingly better than anyone else. Tough but won't be the last talent backrow not to make leinster academy.
Very difficult to make leinster sub academy as a backrow. And not sure exactly what hickey does outstandingly better than anyone else. Tough but won't be the last talent backrow not to make leinster academy.
Last edited by mildlyinterested on January 23rd, 2021, 10:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Leo Cullen
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Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
Need more than that to make leinster academy.EnergiaPark70 wrote: ↑January 23rd, 2021, 10:15 pm Very suprising to see Will Hickey cut very good captain material and leadership skills . Has great work rate and hunger .
Re: Leinster Academy 20-21
I see Joe McCarthy has been identified as being qualified for the USA. Could have a few MLR teams after him.leinsterforever wrote: ↑January 22nd, 2021, 3:00 pmMaybe Joe McCarthy alongside Ahern in the second row and Andrew Smith on the wing.mildlyinterested wrote: ↑January 22nd, 2021, 10:14 am Doing a review of the academies and you'd probably say only Tom Clarkson is the best academy prospect at his position in the leinster academy when comparing to the other provinces.
Obviously theres bee quite a few top talents leave the leinster academy early in recent seasons but it is probably at it's weakest talent-wise in some time.