The Academies

Sportsmad5 · 29-11-2022 07:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119933539#Comment_119933539

Shane Daly; 1 Calvin Nash 2, Chris Farrell 3 Antoine Frisch,4, Malakai Fekitoa 5, Liam Coombes 6 Ben Healy 7 Jack Crowley, 8, Paddy Patterson 9; Josh Wycherley 10 Dave Kilcoyne, 11 Niall Scannell 12 Diarmuid Barron, 13 Keynan Knox 14 Roman Salanoa 15 Jean Kleyn 16 Fineen Wycherley 17 Tom Ahern, 18; Jack O’Donoghue 19 , Alex Kendellen 20 John Hodnett 21 Jack O’Sullivan 22

Mike Haley 23, Keith Earls 24 Dan Goggin 25, Simon Zebo 26 Joey Carbery, 27, Craig Casey 28 Liam O’Connor, 29 Scott Buckley 30 Stephen Archer 31 Tadhg Beirne 32 Edwin Edogbo, 33 Peter O’Mahony 34,

Conor Phillips,35 Rory Scannell, 36 Patrick Campbell; 37 Conor Murray, 38 Jeremy Loughman, 39, Ruadhan Quinn,40. Fionn Gibbons, 41 Gavin Coombes 42 Calvin Nash 43 Neil Cronin, 44 John Ryan 45 Eoin O’Connor 46 Cian Hurley, 47

Have I counted someone twice

theVersatile · 29-11-2022 07:10PM

You've Nash twice

29-11-2022 09:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119934069#Comment_119934069

Seems kind of overstocked with props in the overall squad including academy. Anyone likely to be let go?

Hey_Ho_Lets_Go_3 · 29-11-2022 09:49PM

Not with 4 likely off to the world cup and Healy nearing the end.

Players will move but not this summer

Sportsmad5 · 29-11-2022 10:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119936356#Comment_119936356

Thanks, I looked at it many times and could not spot it, sure he was way out on the wing.

Quin_Dub · 30-11-2022 10:18AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119937090#Comment_119937090

Agreed - Leinster will likely be down 5 props during the World Cup period (before, during and after)

Porter, Furlong, Healy with Ireland and Ala'alatoa with Samoa and Abaladze probably with Georgia.

They'll need as many as they can until Christmas next season at least.

ljsulster · 31-08-2023 10:56AM

I seem to remember a thread that ranked the academy players in each position so I thought it would be interesting to bring it back- these are just my opinions so fire away if you disagree.

Loosehead

Jack Boyle
Paddy Mccarthy
Jacob Boyd

Hooker

1. Gus Mccarthy

2. Henry Walker

3. Zac Solomon

Tighthead

1. Paddy Mccarthy

2. Scott Wilson

3. Ronan Foxe

Lock

1. Edwin Edogbo

2. Evan Oconnell

3. Conor Otighernaigh

6/8

1. Brian Gleeson

2. James Culhane

3. James Mcnabney

Openside

1. Rudhan Quinn

2. Josh Stevens

3. Liam Molony

Scrumhalf

1. Fintan Gunne

2. Matthew Devine

3. Ben Murphy

Outhalf

1. Charlie Tector

2. Harry West

3. Tony Butler

Centre

1. Hugh Gavin

2. Ben Brownlee

3. Hugh Cooney

Back 3

1. Aitzol King

2. Lukas Kenny

3. Ben O’Connor

theVersatile · 31-08-2023 01:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121050452#Comment_121050452

Out of curiosity, are you ranking by current ability or potential? Or a combination?

Regardless, I'd have:

O'Tighernaigh above O'Connell

Moloney above Stephens (mind I've seen very little of the latter so could easily change)

Devine over Gunne

Butler over West

Brownlee and Cooney over Gavin

Haven't seen enough of Kenny to consider moving him below O'Connor.

31-08-2023 01:57PM

This is a tough time of year to do it. I’ve heard very good things about some new inductees, (BOC, Hicks, Kenny,especially) but not sure how much weight to put on that.

The only changes i’d feel strongly about are putting mccarthy at top of LH list. Also keep him one at THP. I’d put McNabney at 2 on 6/8 list and Quinn at 3 there. And also keep Quinn one on the 7 list.

Lost Ormond · 31-08-2023 02:21PM

Bar a few exceptions most players come from a schools/fee schools background. What would people here change to improve the rate of players making the academies and the pro game from other areas on top of whats happening already or what would people like to see happen to improve this?

Quin_Dub · 31-08-2023 02:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121051225#Comment_121051225

At Scrum-half you haven't included Ethan Coughlan from Munster - I'd have him ahead of Ben Murphy.

phog · 31-08-2023 02:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121051529#Comment_121051529

I'm not sure how this would work but I always felt that underage coaches/team managers should be encouraged to list X number of players that have stood out to them from opponents that have played their team/s. The lists to be collated by regional/provincial talent spotters and those listed to be taken into regional/provincial training camps and further accessed.

31-08-2023 03:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121051529#Comment_121051529

A 50/25/25 funding model from the irfu/club/schools to hire coaches for non traditional rugby areas. Tie a school and a club together with some irfu backing.

You would see some failures, some no changes and maybe or or two areas would really pop.

Inspired by an article i vaguely remember about this happening organically in places. I think jackman mentioned it somewhere as well. Maybe do two in each province to start. Or maybe 3 each in connacht, ulster and munster.

Lost Ormond · 31-08-2023 03:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121051808#Comment_121051808

I dont think that is necessarily going to work because it doesnt mean the right players would be highlighted/selected anyway.

Relying on the volunteer coaches to do this work isnt right when we have full time professional coaches/development officers whos role is entirely around doing this work

By all means have more open screening sessions for age grade squads and players invited to attend but not that

phog · 31-08-2023 03:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121051888#Comment_121051888

I'm not going to get into a 100 post reply on this but coaches seeing other players and passing their names onto the professionals that you mention can only help highlight someone to them that they may have missed.

BTW, I love your hard and fast dismissal of the very first idea posted in reply to your question, it will surely encourage others to that the time to reply.

31-08-2023 03:18PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121051925#Comment_121051925

I think the provinces already have this aspect covered to a large degree. They know who the good players are these days mostly. This was a problem 10/15 years ago.

Lost Ormond · 31-08-2023 03:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121051880#Comment_121051880

Its an interesting idea. Funding that from some schools/clubs could be an issue like Regis Sonnes coming to Bandon was a load of luck. he had a connection to the club in form of someone who knew him and they had a fee paying school in bandon grammar with €€€ that many areas mightnt have

Ballina tried it with one of their kiwi AIL players a few years back, even giving him access to a car for a while but got a sanction from IRFU about payment of player etc for it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121051925#Comment_121051925

The provinces already do this. Its beyond this that they need to be doing more. just getting recommendations of players isnt whats needed its changing/improving what the clubs do is what the provinces should be helping with.

theVersatile · 31-08-2023 06:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121051630#Comment_121051630

Agreed. For some reason, I thought Coughlan had moved onto a development deal this year.

Quin_Dub · 01-09-2023 09:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121052857#Comment_121052857

Not yet anyway.

He's likely the starting Scrum-half for the start of the season with Murray/Casey with Ireland and Patterson injured so he might get upgraded.

Similarly Butler should get decent game time as there's only him and Carbery there for the moment.

ljsulster · 03-03-2025 12:18AM

It’s been a while since this thread has been used but thought I would do a top 3 depth chart in each position. Feel free to argue between provinces.

Loosehead

Usanov
Boyd
K Ryan

Hooker

G McCarthy
H Walker
D Sheahan

Tighthead

N Smyth
R Foxe
F Barrett

Lock

E O’Connell
D Mangan
COT

Blindside

J McKillop
S Edogbo
M Foy

Openside

R Quinn
B Ward
M Flynn

Number 8

L Murphy
T Brigg
E McCarthy

Scrumhalf

F Gunne
O Coffey
J Oliver

Flyhalf

J Murphy
C Gabriel
S Naughton

Centre

H Cooney
W De Klerk
B Brownlee

Winger

R Moloney
L Kenny
F Treacy

Fullback

B O’Connor
R Telfer
H McErlean

Hey_Ho_Lets_Go_3 · 03-03-2025 11:45AM

Tector should be top of list at 10.

FtD v2 · 26-08-2025 04:48PM

Decided to revive this thread, now that the Academy intakes are agreed and announced for the forthcoming year.

My rank, by position across the four academies (ranked based on potential):

Loosehead Prop:

Emmet Calvey (Munster - Year 1)
Jacob Boyd (Ulster - Year 3)
George Hadden (Munster - Year 3)

Others: Billy Bohan (Connacht - Year 2)

Hooker:

Stephen Smyth (Leinster - Year 2)
Conor Magee (Ulster - Year 1)
Lee Fitzpatrick (Leinster - Year 1)

Others: Henry Walker (Ulster - Year 3), Danny Sheahan (Munster - Year 2), Max Clein (Munster - Year 3), Matthew Victory (Connacht - Year 3), Mikey Yarr (Connacht - Year 1)

Tighthead Prop:

Fiachna Barrett (Connacht - Year 3)
Ronan Foxe (Munster - Year 3)
Andrew Sparrow (Leinster - Year 2)

Others: Alex Mullan (Leinster - Year 1), Flynn Longstaff (Ulster - Year 1), Tom McAllister (Ulster - Year 1), Darragh McSweeney (Munster - Year 4)

Lock:

Alan Spicer (Leinster - Year 2)
Billy Corrigan (Leinster - Year 2)
Conor Kennelly (Munster - Year 1)

Others: Conor O'Tighearnaigh (Leinster - Year 3), Mahon Ronan (Leinster - Year 1), David Walsh (Connacht - Year 1)

Back Row:

Sean Edogbo (Munster - Year 2)
Bryn Ward (Ulster - Year 2)
James McKillop (Ulster - Year 2)

Others: Liam Molony (Leinster - Year 3), Tom Brigg (Ulster - Year 3), Josh Stevens (Ulster - Year 3), Michael Foy (Munster - Year 1), Oisin Minogue (Munster - Year 1), Luke Murphy (Munster - Year 2), Max Flynn (Connacht - Year 2), Eanna McCarthy (Connacht - Year 2), Aaron O'Brien (Connacht - Year 1), Diarmuid O'Connell (Connacht - Year 1), Bobby Power (Connacht - Year 1)

Scrum Half:

Oliver Coffey (Leinster - Year 2)
Tomas Farthing (Connacht - Year 2)
Clarke Logan (Ulster - Year 2)

Others: Tadhg Brophy (Leinster - Year 1), Jake O'Riordan (Munster - Year 2)

Out Half:

Casper Gabriel (Leinster - Year 2)
Tom Wood (Munster - Year 1)
Sean Naughton (Connacht - Year 3)

Others: Dylan Hicks (Munster - Year 3), Conor O'Shaughnessy (Connacht - Year 1)

Centre:

Jack Deegan (Leinster - Year 1)
Sean Walsh (Connacht - Year 1)
Wilhelm de Klerk (Ulster - Year 2)

Others: Connor Fahy (Leinster - Year 1), Ciaran Mangan (Leinster - Year 1), Sam Berman (Ulster - Year 2), Jonathan Scott (Ulster - Year 2), Eoghan Smyth (Munster - Year 1), Gene O'Leary Kareem (Munster - Year 2), Gordon Wood (Munster - Year 2)

Back Three:

Ben O'Connor - (Munster - Year 3)
Ruben Moloney - (Leinster - Year 2)
Lukas Kenny - (Ulster - Year 3)

Others: Hugo McLaughlin (Leinster - Year 2), Todd Lawlor (Leinster - Year 1), Paidi Farrell (Leinster - Year 1), Henry McErlean (Leinster - Year 3), Josh Gibson (Ulster - Year 1), Ethan Graham (Ulster - Year 3), Aitzol King (Ulster - Year 3), Daniel Ryan (Connacht - Year 1), James Nicholson (Connacht - Year 3).

Overall, I think some positions look a little weak: LHP, THP, Lock, Scrum Half and back three arguably IMO.

On the other hand, I think there are a lot of good backrow prospects (just none at Leinster atm), some excellent hooker prospects and some really bright centre prospects (especially the two year 1 players, Deegan and Walsh).

Guys who, IMO, have a lot to prove to earn a pro contract at this point: Jacob Boyd, George Hadden, Darragh McSweeney, Max Clein, Conor O'Tighearnaigh, Liam Molony, Tom Brigg, Dylan Hicks, Henry McErlean, Ethan Graham, Aitzol King and James Nicholson.

realhorrorshow · 26-08-2025 05:41PM

Hard to argue with the rankings, although I wouldn't put O'Tighearnaigh and McErlean in the same category as the others in your last paragraph, think both have a bit more about them.

I would have had Luke Murphy in the top 3 back rows a year ago but he was quiet from what I saw of the 20s, big asterisk there given the quality of coaching of course.

I rate Max Flynn but he has spent a lot of time injured over the past couple of seasons, hopefully he can start to make a breakthrough this campaign. Diarmuid O'Connell looks good too, huge guy with a big work rate, reminds me of Cian Prendergast a bit.

FtD v2 · 26-08-2025 05:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123756896#Comment_123756896

Yeah, I'm really unsure on McErlean. He's a Year 3 guy, and there is plenty of competition for gametime. On COT - I think a combo of injuries and time on his medical exams has stalled his progress a bit (Diarmuid Mangan was behind him, and has already progressed to a senior contract), but he does look talented enough to step up. He'll need to this year - Leinster are incredibly thin on the ground at lock for the first few weeks of the season.

My read on Luke Murphy is exactly the same as yours. Would have had him in the top 3 as an U19, but feel he hasn't kicked on in the past year (some of that likely injury related). I also just rate the three guys I ranked in the back row very highly.

Agreed on Flynn and O'Connell too - I hadn't seen much of O'Connell before this year but he looks big and rangy.

The Academies

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