The Academies

bilston wrote: »

Yeah, but the four announced are all currently schoolboys so aren't even at U20 level yet so that will make that logjam even more congested.

That said I think most of the Ulster lads in the 20s squad were already in the Academy, certainly Stewart, McCann and Hyde are.

Not sure about Finlay and I actually don't think Ethan McIlroy is, which is odd because he is in the Irish U20 side and has already featured heavily in a Pro 14 game for Ulster.

Pretty sure it was announced mid-season that McIlroy was moved up to a full academy place. Seemed a no-brainer considering they were playing him ahead of the other current academy wing/fullback. Think Finaly is only sub-academy.

bilston wrote: »

Is Doak rated higher than Finlay?

I hope we don't end up with another Jonny Stewart and Rhys O'Donnell scenario. Bring them both through, although I suppose Doak is a 10 as well so there should be room for both.

I'd wager that Doak will focus on 9 given our lack of options there and we have two young 10's. The coaches must rate him higher than Finlay given he started for the A team and got an academy place straight out of school. Finlay certainly made a case for himself in the six nations and I think there's definitely room for him - just down to whether or not the coaches are convinced I guess. They might prefer a prospect in the u19 or u18 group and might not want to have three academy 9's at once.

Connacht adding Sligos Donnacha Byrne for next season. Sligo tweeted this evening

That's a shame as he looked a good prospect. Unfortunately, he's likely to be lost to Irish rugby now for next few years at the very least.

It will be interesting to see if he plays for the U20 side next season. I assume he's eligible to play for Englan U20 next year if selected?

clsmooth wrote: »

Yep he looked promising for the U20s. I wonder if any of the provinces were in for him. Any reason why we don’t lock down players if they play for the U20s like some other countries do by the way?

I imagine most of the exiles wouldn't play for us then. They probably wouldn't want to commit too early and it might impact their academy prospects in England.

Scottmactom wrote: »

Rumour is that Kelly was set to sign for Connacht when Leicester came in.

That's a shame.

Any word on if lucas berti newman (newbridge) been offered any academy spot? He looked a class act in this years senior cup? And any of the michaels players too? A good few of that team looked like good prospects

Soroka, Smith and SOBv4.0 according to LeinsterFans.

Not that surprising. Leinster had a smaller representation in the U20 team this year and already had Deeny and Clarkson in the academy too.

Guys like Tim Corkery and Joe McCarthy have another year at U20 level so it's no surprise if they're not being added to the academy in the current financial climate. I imagine someone like John McKee would be disappointed to not get in after 2 years at Ireland U20 level. But with Dan Sheehan and Kelleher, Leinster aren't short on young hookers right now.

Every chance another player or two is added in the coming months though, I'd guess.

Lucas44 wrote: »

Was very impressed with the 7 from Michaels for 20s this year can’t remember his name but he definitely stood out. Would of thought he would have been in with a chance

Mark Hernan?

Buer wrote: »

Soroka, Smith and SOBv4.0 according to LeinsterFans.

Not that surprising. Leinster had a smaller representation in the U20 team this year and already had Deeny and Clarkson in the academy too.

Guys like Tim Corkery and Joe McCarthy have another year at U20 level so it's no surprise if they're not being added to the academy in the current financial climate. I imagine someone like John McKee would be disappointed to not get in after 2 years at Ireland U20 level. But with Dan Sheehan and Kelleher, Leinster aren't short on young hookers right now.

Every chance another player or two is added in the coming months though, I'd guess.

Soroka only ended up playing one game, didn't he? Still u20 next year as well so the coaches must rate him well enough, looked very good against England. Smith should be competing with the other back three players in the academy immediately imo (O'Sullivan, Silvester, Turner), he looks really sharp down the touchline and is physical enough. I thought SOB looked handier than Hernan and he looks like he could play across the backrow. Wasn't as impressed with Hernan as others I guess, thought he lacked the physicality and wasn't sure what he could do to a high enough level that I'd want him lining out every week in the backrow, if that makes sense?

One of the hookers will be gutted to miss out. Sheehan and McKee are decent enough players, but I suspect the coaches would have wanted to see how the rest of the games played out. Barron coming up behind them as well, so no need to rush a decision. Can always bring someone in mid year.

The sub academy should be competitive - quite a few handy players coming out of school, certinaly a few back three players who could get a contract somewhere. Then there's the likes of Joe McCarthy. Thought he might have done enough to sneak in, looked very physical for an u19 and with Dowling leaving, and fardy and toner getting along there's another spot in the row open. No harm in waiting a year, didn't get much game time this year.