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Irish Rugby's Best Emerging Talents

Size=everything

So I have decided to compile a list of the most promising players in the countrie's acadamies and sub academies for people who rarely get to see the underage teams.

Nevin Spence (ULSTER) -
I am sure many posters here saw this player in action for the Under 20s in the World Cup before his unfortunate injury and saw what an excellent player he was. Extremely powerful, good pace and a nice step.

Peter O'Mahony (MUNSTER) -
An excellent 8 who is a grafter and a natural born leader. Great with ball in hand and excellent in support play.

Jack McGrath (LEINSTER) -
A prop with unlimited potential. Has held his own against ex England props at just 18 and at the same age destroyed scrums for fun in the AIL top division. An excellent prospect.

Ciaran Ruddock (LEINSTER) -
The Welsh rugby union tried everything in their power to hold onto him for good reason. Ruddock is considered to be one of the most promising emerging talents in the country right now. An excellent, skillful second row who the IRFU are very lucky to have on their books.

Ian McKinley (LEINSTER) -
There has been a certain buzz about McKinley since jct level when Blackrock College were so impressed with him that they offered him everything to try and get him to join their ranks. At 18 he has already started for Leinster, an incredible outhalf with an incredible boot and brilliant distribution skills.

Noel Reid (LEINSTER) -
I have been talking about him a bit as of late but for good reason. He has been seriously impressive this year. An incredibly skillful outhalf who is equally competent at 12. His distribution, kicking, handling is unbelievable and he can put it in some serious hits. I have no doubt that Reid will be the natural replacement for D'arcy in a few years time.

Ian Nagle (MUNSTER) -
Has been playing some excellent stuff for Munster so far and looks to be improving constantly. If he can bulk up considerably (I believe hes only 15.5 stone at 6'7) then I have no doubt in a few years Nagle will be putting his hand up as an excellent solution to the problem of replacing POC and DOC.

Andrew Conway (LEINSTER) -
Another Full back to add to our growing list but a serious talent. A deadly threat with ball in hand and has excellent handling. His step is probably one of the best steps I have seen at that level and he has a huge future ahead of him.

Brendan Macken (LEINSTER) -
He has only just left school and already he has excelled in pre season games with the Leinster first team. This lad is without doubt at his age the biggest prospect in Northern Hemisphere rugby right now. He has been tipped to have the potential to be as good as O'Driscoll was in his prime and having seen him play I don't doubt this.

Dave Kearney (LEINSTER) -
We will probably be seeing him a lot this season but for those who don't know he is considered to have the potential to be even better than his brother.

Notable mentions also go out to Dominic Ryan (LEINSTER) and Scott Deasy (MUNSTER)

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eroo

themont85 wrote: »

There is also the small matter of college and training on on Wedensday during pre drinking or on a sulky Sunday morning isn't very appetising! You read a lot particularly from the likes of Thornley that schools rugby is wrong because amongst everything else it is too big a deal and that people quit because clubs aren't. I don't get this argument, it is great if people can be so interested in rugby whilst in school and not drinking to the ridiculous excess from 15 onwards, it is upto the clubs and the IRFU to make the club game more appealing and play it at better times imo.

It's not much a case of playing it at better times, just purely making club rugby more appealing. The GAA don't have any problem fielding players.. whether for matches or training.

If the IRFU funded the clubs like they do schools, it would seriously improve club rugby. It isn't like the IRFU don't have the money for it! After all, once a good player leaves school where does he/she keep up the training if they haven't made into an academy?

anonymous_joe

themont85 wrote: »

There is also the small matter of college and training on on Wedensday during pre drinking or on a sulky Sunday morning isn't very appetising! You read a lot particularly from the likes of Thornley that schools rugby is wrong because amongst everything else it is too big a deal and that people quit because clubs aren't. I don't get this argument, it is great if people can be so interested in rugby whilst in school and not drinking to the ridiculous excess from 15 onwards, it is upto the clubs and the IRFU to make the club game more appealing and play it at better times imo.

Well the problem is, a schools competition at 18 shouldn't really be the peak of your career.

Because that's what it often is. Ten years ago certain schools could get more fans than Leinster or Munster.

And yeah, college is a bit of a eye-opener as to the pleasures of the real world.

jank

FridaysWell wrote: »

S? Not sure what ya mean? Sorry?

Neither do I, but how I mean is it is seen as a sport, much like it is in Aussie or NZ, obviously not as big as soccer or GAA.

I know its very bad what they went through too, but thats Ireland for ya. Thanks bro.

Rugby Union is a tiny sport in OZ. Probably the 5th sport of the country right now.

themont85

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Ask a mod?

I've noticed a large drop off in the hardcore rugby players I knew in school who really weren't arsed playing in front of nobody for little glory.

S's rugby spoils you tbh. From the age of 7 or 8 you're heading to the matches, and crowds in their thousands are watching you. Hell it's even on TV sometimes. Finals used to be in Lansdowne! Compare that to playing in front of a couple dozen heads in some small pitch somewhere...

Also, in my immediate area, as in within a mile or two of my house, are Wesley, Bective, Wanderers, Lansdowne and Old Belvedere. Monkstown, Railyway, etc too might count.

That means there's little chance of one individual club representing you in any meaningful way. Ergo, schools have a monopoly in glory.

There is also the small matter of college and training on on Wedensday during pre drinking or on a sulky Sunday morning isn't very appetising! You read a lot particularly from the likes of Thornley that schools rugby is wrong because amongst everything else it is too big a deal and that people quit because clubs aren't. I don't get this argument, it is great if people can be so interested in rugby whilst in school and not drinking to the ridiculous excess from 15 onwards, it is upto the clubs and the IRFU to make the club game more appealing and play it at better times imo.

anonymous_joe

FridaysWell wrote: »

We do play for some clubs! Sure how else did some of us make Leinster and Ireland squads?? DLSP v.good I know many people that play there.

And as for what RMD said, yep thats the truth. There is hardly any incentive to play club rugby other then the love of the game, and not alot of people have that. One of my biggest regrets ever was not picking Terenure or Marys, I really really wish I could name my school and shame the ****ing place. . . So much potential.

Ask a mod?

I've noticed a large drop off in the hardcore rugby players I knew in school who really weren't arsed playing in front of nobody for little glory.

S's rugby spoils you tbh. From the age of 7 or 8 you're heading to the matches, and crowds in their thousands are watching you. Hell it's even on TV sometimes. Finals used to be in Lansdowne! Compare that to playing in front of a couple dozen heads in some small pitch somewhere...

Also, in my immediate area, as in within a mile or two of my house, are Wesley, Bective, Wanderers, Lansdowne and Old Belvedere. Monkstown, Railyway, etc too might count.

That means there's little chance of one individual club representing you in any meaningful way. Ergo, schools have a monopoly in glory.

FridaysWell

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Can you lads not play for one of the youth clubs in your area?

Ok, the standard isn't as high as schools, but it's still fairly high. I did a cup under 18 final last year and was fairly impressed with the standard.

Some clubs like Naas, Navan, Barnhall, DLSP are usually fairly strong and would be as good as or wouldn't be far off schools standard.

We do play for some clubs! Sure how else did some of us make Leinster and Ireland squads?? DLSP v.good I know many people that play there.

And as for what RMD said, yep thats the truth. There is hardly any incentive to play club rugby other then the love of the game, and not alot of people have that. One of my biggest regrets ever was not picking Terenure or Marys, I really really wish I could name my school and shame the ****ing place. . . So much potential.

themont85

The reality is that schools players are better coached, conditioned and prepared by the age of 18-19 when they leave school. Macken and Luke Fitzgearld both played for Leinster and indeed the latter with Ireland a couple of months after their Leaving certs. A player at a club can have no where near the amount of time put into him then the schools ones, I would also imagine the majority of players in Leinster play in schools. Look at the under 20s when there is an influx of players from schools, the clubs which dominate at under 18s suddenly get hosed by Lansdowne, UCD et al in the cups and pennant.

As regards the person unhappy at their schools lack of rugby playing, I find it understandable from the school's pov. Team sports like soccer, rugby and GAA require a massive effort from the school and importantly numbers to be competative in one sport. Blackrock and Belvedere both have soccer teams at the late stage of school but those two are massive numbers wise and also because as it is offered so late on the majority of people are already involved in rugby. St Marys are a relatively small school but very successful, this is because rugby is number one there, introduce serious soccer or GAA and watch that evaporate as naturally some prefer to play a different game. Conversly of the good GAA schools I know like Colaiste Eoin and Oatlands, if they introduced rugby the GAA would suffer. The IRFU should concentrate on larger schools and relatively new schools which don't have an engrained sporting pursuit. Look at Castletroy in Limerick(I know its Limerick and rugby is the sport but I think the point still stands), there I think they opened in 2000 and already they have a Munster cup and several underage provincial players.

RMD

eroo wrote: »

I wish it was the case that Club rugby was scouted moreso, and meant a lot more than schools rugby. It would allow a much better method of scouting for players.. rather than focus on the same schools(In Limerick for example: Munchins, Ard Scoil Ris, Castletroy etc). Personally I dont like nor do I pay any attention to schools rugby; I just never liked the attitudes of the players. I'd go as far to say a snobbery exists around schools rugby in places tbh. You dont get that with club rugby.. Club rugby is as close as you get to local GAA clubs i.e. community You don't get that with a schools team imo.

But I could be wrong, having never played schools rugby.. just a spectator.:P

Having played both schools and club rugby I can tell you this, there is a reason why the vast majority of Irish Rugby players have come through the known Rugby schools (especially the Leinster players).

There is so much more passion and pride in playing for your school than there is for your local club. It's an honour to wear that SCT jersey which only 22 people will be given, club rugby....anyone can show up and throw on a crested club jersey. The vast majority of Rugby schools are private and so have money for proper facilities, proper coaches, anything they'll need. Club Rugby, you'll be lucky if you get to play on a floodlit pitch, if are lucky enough that's about the top of the facilities you will train on.

I've played S for schools and I've played on the A team for club rugby all my life at my age group. I had no problem pulling making it to schools training 4 times a week, sometimes 5 yet when it came to making it 1-2 trainings a week for club rugby, I wasn't arsed. There's no reward or fame for doing well in club rugby, there's no special jersey, there's no scout on the sideline to impress, there's no hundreds of supporters in your school colors shouting you on, it's just missing the passion and pride involved.

gcgirl

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Twice consecutively was it? Or in quick succession at least.

Yep this year and last yr ! Young Earls played with the Irish U18 club side along with a couple of the other guys + Last yr they lost a few through being overage but were able to replace them !!

irishbucsfan

gcgirl wrote: »

Wicklow U18's are super they will now be U19 since they new age grades changes came in and the have reached the all Ireland twice !

Twice consecutively was it? Or in quick succession at least.

gcgirl

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Which one was it?

Wicklow are excellent, consistently excellent. I'd imagine they'd challenge some of the lesser schools.

Certainly there is an option out there for everyone when it comes to rugby at underage level, there are clubs around the country looking for good young players at underage level.

Wicklow U18's are super they will now be U19 since they new age grades changes came in and the have reached the all Ireland twice !

irishbucsfan

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Can you lads not play for one of the youth clubs in your area?

Ok, the standard isn't as high as schools, but it's still fairly high. I did a cup under 18 final last year and was fairly impressed with the standard.

Some clubs like Naas, Navan, Barnhall, DLSP are usually fairly strong and would be as good as or wouldn't be far off schools standard.

Which one was it?

Wicklow are excellent, consistently excellent. I'd imagine they'd challenge some of the lesser schools.

Certainly there is an option out there for everyone when it comes to rugby at underage level, there are clubs around the country looking for good young players at underage level.

Tim Robbins

FridaysWell wrote: »

So as for the future of international rugby? I really hope 1-2 of us make it and then maybe the school will change its mind and people can enjoy rugby there.

Can you lads not play for one of the youth clubs in your area?

Ok, the standard isn't as high as schools, but it's still fairly high. I did a cup under 18 final last year and was fairly impressed with the standard.

Some clubs like Naas, Navan, Barnhall, DLSP are usually fairly strong and would be as good as or wouldn't be far off schools standard.

PhatPiggins

Note the "if you weren't playing for the right school" part of the post:pac:

irishbucsfan

anonymous_joe wrote: »

Didn't he play for Newbridge? :pac:

Yeah. Him, Bernard Jackman, Jamie Heaslip, Tony Buckley and Fionn Carr as well as some other players to have made an impact in recent times. He's a very lucky man to have played at such a great school :P

anonymous_joe

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I wouldn't sweat too much about it. The youths rugby developement in Leinster is rapidly improving. Ten years ago it didn't matter if you were Geordan Murphy, if you weren't playing for the right school you were out.

Now there are other ways that good young players can work they way up the Leinster system.

Didn't he play for Newbridge? :pac:

FridaysWell

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I wouldn't sweat too much about it. The youths rugby developement in Leinster is rapidly improving. Ten years ago it didn't matter if you were Geordan Murphy, if you weren't playing for the right school you were out.

Now there are other ways that good young players can work they way up the Leinster system.

After a certain agae, there is no schools anymore and it's actually harder to make any headway because of the bias towards schools players or certain clubs.

Anyway I'll just work the old ass off, see how far things go. And enjoy my rugby along the way

PhatPiggins

FridaysWell wrote: »

That was the plan for the end of 4th year, I was going to move to such a school. But over that summer I decided to give seeing if they would make a team a shot and stick with it. Didn't come through and it was too late. Just another regret, something I should have done.

I wouldn't sweat too much about it. The youths rugby developement in Leinster is rapidly improving. Ten years ago it didn't matter if you were Geordan Murphy, if you weren't playing for the right school you were out.

Now there are other ways that good young players can work they way up the Leinster system.

FridaysWell

PhatPiggins wrote: »

If I was you, I'd repeat the leaving next year in a good rugby playing school. If it was feasible with your parents.

But if you're over age it doesn't matter

That was the plan for the end of 4th year, I was going to move to such a school. But over that summer I decided to give seeing if they would make a team a shot and stick with it. Didn't come through and it was too late. Just another regret, something I should have done.

PhatPiggins

FridaysWell wrote: »

No I don't think so, I did 4th year so probably not.

Why?

If I was you, I'd repeat the leaving next year in a good rugby playing school. If it was feasible with your parents.

But if you're over age it doesn't matter

FridaysWell

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I mean would you be young enough to play in the Leinster Schools Senior comp next year

No I don't think so, I did 4th year so probably not.

Why?

PhatPiggins

I mean would you be young enough to play in the Leinster Schools Senior comp next year

FridaysWell

eroo wrote: »

I wish it was the case that Club rugby was scouted moreso

Me too.

Also what you said about the local community factor of club rugby, that is very true. Most clubs love new fans and players etc. Be great if every club match had a nice crowd at it and you do see that alot sometimes.

FridaysWell

PhatPiggins wrote: »

Would you be eligible for the S next year?

S? Not sure what ya mean? Sorry?

anonymous_joe wrote: »

I don't think rugby'll ever be the soul sport of Ireland...

It's a depressing story tbh. Check in with the Shamrock Rovers fans on the soccer forum and you'd see they went through the same thing on an even bigger scale.

Neither do I, but how I mean is it is seen as a sport, much like it is in Aussie or NZ, obviously not as big as soccer or GAA.

I know its very bad what they went through too, but thats Ireland for ya. Thanks bro.

eroo

I wish it was the case that Club rugby was scouted moreso, and meant a lot more than schools rugby. It would allow a much better method of scouting for players.. rather than focus on the same schools(In Limerick for example: Munchins, Ard Scoil Ris, Castletroy etc). Personally I dont like nor do I pay any attention to schools rugby; I just never liked the attitudes of the players. I'd go as far to say a snobbery exists around schools rugby in places tbh. You dont get that with club rugby.. Club rugby is as close as you get to local GAA clubs i.e. community You don't get that with a schools team imo.

But I could be wrong, having never played schools rugby.. just a spectator.:P

anonymous_joe

FridaysWell wrote: »

Apologies. I wasn't saying you didn't.

Tried that. No avail, they are the same bunch of , I'm not going to say. Doing my LC this year so its too late anyway.

If people didn't have such an Irish attitude on this ****e, then a solution would have been found by now. I tried to play GAA last year in the school as an extra fitness thing. I wasn't welcome at all.

When rugby is accepted as a sport and nothing else throughout this island, then you will see true success.

When people change their ****ed up attitude to things you will see success.

But no-one will listen.

I don't think rugby'll ever be the soul sport of Ireland...

It's a depressing story tbh. Check in with the Shamrock Rovers fans on the soccer forum and you'd see they went through the same thing on an even bigger scale.

PhatPiggins

FridaysWell wrote: »

Apologies. I wasn't saying you didn't.

Tried that. No avail, they are the same bunch of , I'm not going to say. Doing my LC this year so its too late anyway.

If people didn't have such an Irish attitude on this ****e, then a solution would have been found by now. I tried to play GAA last year in the school as an extra fitness thing. I wasn't welcome at all.

When rugby is accepted as a sport and nothing else throughout this island, then you will see true success.

When people change their ****ed up attitude to things you will see success.

But no-one will listen.

Would you be eligible for the S next year?

FridaysWell

anonymous_joe wrote: »

I don't mean that I don't believe it. I mean it's happened all too often. Sure didn't Liam Brady always say he was expelled for playing football rather than Gah?

There's f all you can do about school matters other than protest to whomever's in charge of your school. Is there a board of governors? Find out who they are and contact them. They can do something. Assuming they exist.

Apologies. I wasn't saying you didn't.

Tried that. No avail, they are the same bunch of , I'm not going to say. Doing my LC this year so its too late anyway.

If people didn't have such an Irish attitude on this ****e, then a solution would have been found by now. I tried to play GAA last year in the school as an extra fitness thing. I wasn't welcome at all.

When rugby is accepted as a sport and nothing else throughout this island, then you will see true success.

When people change their ****ed up attitude to things you will see success.

But no-one will listen.

anonymous_joe

FridaysWell wrote: »

Try be there, you won't say its an old story, its ****ed up.

No-one gives a **** anyway, whats the point in posting this ****e. No-one listens, no one cares. Wish there was somebody that could help us.

But then again this is Ireland.

I don't mean that I don't believe it. I mean it's happened all too often. Sure didn't Liam Brady always say he was expelled for playing football rather than Gah?

There's f all you can do about school matters other than protest to whomever's in charge of your school. Is there a board of governors? Find out who they are and contact them. They can do something. Assuming they exist.

FridaysWell

anonymous_joe wrote: »

That's an old story sadly.

All too often the wants of the teaching staff in a school impact on a sport. Gah heads hating other sports is nothing new. (Nor is it endemic, thankfully. Just common enough to be depressing.)

Try be there, you won't say its an old story, its ****ed up.

No-one gives a **** anyway, whats the point in posting this ****e. No-one listens, no one cares. Wish there was somebody that could help us.

But then again this is Ireland.