The Academies

ArmchairQB · 05-05-2014 09:27AM

[Jackass] wrote: »

James Tracey is a very good prospect at hooker, converted from (but still covers) loosehead. He'll be in the senior team next season along with Furlong, he'll be 3rd / 4th choice hooker and 3rd / 4th choice loosehead (taking O'Connells loosehead spot, but Bent will now be considered loosehead first and foremost with Furlong becoming 3rd choice tighthead.)

Harris-Wright was coming along nicely too, prompting his move to Connacht as we've been lucky at Leinster, got a young SA hooker in Strauss who proved to be top class and became IQ as well as signing a similarly young IQ hooker in the shape of Cronin. With those two in the squad for the forseable future, it seems unlikely we'll be holding on to any promising hookers as they're behind two internationals. Dundon sourced from the AIL is the perfect 3rd choice hooker. Happy to warm the bench / miss out for most of the season, but still a really good Pro12 quality hooker when called upon, never lets the side down.

I would think Peter Dooley will be competing hard for that Loosehead spot and rated better than Tracey in that position, Dooley still only 19/20 will improve again next season

stellenbosch · 05-05-2014 10:04AM

FellasFellas wrote: »

Niyi Adeolokun has signed for Connacht Academy I believe.

He is the current Trinity winger-he is apparently on a development contract and has by passed the Academy. He is 23/24. He scored an outstanding try in the Lein dev v Irish 20s at xmas. VV quick.

freyners · 05-05-2014 12:42PM

[Jackass] wrote: »

James Tracey is a very good prospect at hooker, converted from (but still covers) loosehead. He'll be in the senior team next season along with Furlong, he'll be 3rd / 4th choice hooker and 3rd / 4th choice loosehead (taking O'Connells loosehead spot, but Bent will now be considered loosehead first and foremost with Furlong becoming 3rd choice tighthead.)

Harris-Wright was coming along nicely too, prompting his move to Connacht as we've been lucky at Leinster, got a young SA hooker in Strauss who proved to be top class and became IQ as well as signing a similarly young IQ hooker in the shape of Cronin. With those two in the squad for the forseable future, it seems unlikely we'll be holding on to any promising hookers as they're behind two internationals. Dundon sourced from the AIL is the perfect 3rd choice hooker. Happy to warm the bench / miss out for most of the season, but still a really good Pro12 quality hooker when called upon, never lets the side down.

Although he eventually ended up with us its important to note JHW went to Bristol before coming out west. Been an excellent signing for us since.

Be interesting to see where any young hooker can go in the next few years. The provinces are fairly stocked at that position

CIARAN_BOYLE · 05-05-2014 12:48PM

[Jackass] wrote: »

James Tracey is a very good prospect at hooker, converted from (but still covers) loosehead. He'll be in the senior team next season along with Furlong, he'll be 3rd / 4th choice hooker and 3rd / 4th choice loosehead (taking O'Connells loosehead spot, but Bent will now be considered loosehead first and foremost with Furlong becoming 3rd choice tighthead.)

Harris-Wright was coming along nicely too, prompting his move to Connacht as we've been lucky at Leinster, got a young SA hooker in Strauss who proved to be top class and became IQ as well as signing a similarly young IQ hooker in the shape of Cronin. With those two in the squad for the forseable future, it seems unlikely we'll be holding on to any promising hookers as they're behind two internationals. Dundon sourced from the AIL is the perfect 3rd choice hooker. Happy to warm the bench / miss out for most of the season, but still a really good Pro12 quality hooker when called upon, never lets the side down.

Sexton was coming on nicely too before he wnt down to oz

FellasFellas · 05-05-2014 09:17PM

stellenbosch wrote: »

He is the current Trinity winger-he is apparently on a development contract and has by passed the Academy. He is 23/24. He scored an outstanding try in the Lein dev v Irish 20s at xmas. VV quick.

Yeah was thinking maybe academy at his age was strange. Still a development contract is very good to see him getting, can score from anywhere. Deceptively strong.

FellasFellas · 11-05-2014 10:43PM

Harrison Brewer and Rory O'Loughlin into the academy next season.

Liveforrugby · 11-05-2014 11:24PM

FellasFellas wrote: »

Harrison Brewer and Rory O'Loughlin into the academy next season.

Does Ruddock have any say in these calls? Who generally makes the decision?

Hagz · 11-05-2014 11:36PM

FellasFellas wrote: »

Harrison Brewer and Rory O'Loughlin into the academy next season.

Oh thank fcuck for that. I thought O'Loughlin was gonna be looked over.

That's the Academy lads pretty much sewn up isn't it? Maybe one more.

The Lost Sheep · 11-05-2014 11:46PM

Liveforrugby wrote: »

Does Ruddock have any say in these calls? Who generally makes the decision?

Not really. He is an IRFU coach and nothing to do with Leinster picking their academy group. Leinster academy staff like Dempsey etc will make the decisions on academy additions

FellasFellas · 11-05-2014 11:47PM

It'd be Collie McEntee majorly involved I'd say. Ruddock doesn't even go to games to watch prospective 20's players play, he just goes on word of mouth and Lansdowne old faithfuls; so I doubt he has much of a say.

phog · 12-05-2014 12:01AM

FellasFellas wrote: »

Ruddock doesn't even go to games to watch prospective 20's players play, he just goes on word of mouth and Lansdowne old faithfuls; so I doubt he has much of a say.

I've no great reason to doubt you but that's a bit damning if true. Tbh, I'm surprised as I rated Ruddock highly.

FellasFellas · 12-05-2014 01:37AM

phog wrote: »

I've no great reason to doubt you but that's a bit damning if true. Tbh, I'm surprised as I rated Ruddock highly.

Look at the interview with Ruddock talking about Brewer, shows exactly what I mean.

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny · 12-05-2014 01:43AM

How is ruddock expected to get to games? The IRFU clearly know he's not gonna get to go to the 20s games because of his Lansdowne commitments as Head Coach

[Jackass] · 12-05-2014 02:00AM

What age is Harrison Brewer now? He seems to have made a fairly decent name for himself at schools level (I don't remember seeing him, or if I did, didn't majorly catch my eye) but I've heard pretty mixed reviews from the sublime to not so great.

Hagz · 12-05-2014 02:23AM

[Jackass] wrote: »

What age is Harrison Brewer now? He seems to have made a fairly decent name for himself at schools level (I don't remember seeing him, or if I did, didn't majorly catch my eye) but I've heard pretty mixed reviews from the sublime to not so great.

18/19. He'll be u20s next season. Sublime to the not so great pretty much sums up what I've seen of him. He looks like he's got raw talent in terms of his stepping and power, but he's also looked a bit headless from the little I saw. But he's exciting to watch so I'm glad he's in the Academy. Although it means Robb isn't being taken in. He's worth a look for the other provinces.

FellasFellas · 12-05-2014 03:30AM

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny wrote: »

How is ruddock expected to get to games? The IRFU clearly know he's not gonna get to go to the 20s games because of his Lansdowne commitments as Head Coach

AIL and 20's games are on different days.

bamboozle · 12-05-2014 05:49AM

Hagz wrote: »

18/19. He'll be u20s next season. Sublime to the not so great pretty much sums up what I've seen of him. He looks like he's got raw talent in terms of his stepping and power, but he's also looked a bit headless from the little I saw. But he's exciting to watch so I'm glad he's in the Academy. Although it means Robb isn't being taken in. He's worth a look for the other provinces.

I would fully expect Robb to well worth his place in any of the other academies. Physically he's ready, hopefully he'll perform during the U20 WC.

RobbieRuns · 12-05-2014 09:45AM

Robb will end up in the Munster Academy I would say. Brewer has done well to get into the Leinster Academy. Strange that Ruddock obviously rates Robb, who he has selected for the JWC and not picked Brewer.

The academies would always pick on long term potential I would say, look at the areas that can be improved etc.

mogwai81 · 12-05-2014 09:47AM

Would those that have seen both Robb and Brewer play be happy with Brewer getting an academy spot over Robb. Seems like they could have taken Robb this year and Brewer next year if his consistency improved.
What would be Rory O'Loughlin's main attributes as a player. He seems to be struggling with injuries of late, but is spoken highly of in general by those who have seen him play.

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny · 12-05-2014 10:36AM

FellasFellas wrote: »

AIL and 20's games are on different days.

In Munter there on the same days at the same time, 2.30 on Saturdays. When are they played in Leinster? Sundays?

Not Playing Tiddlywinks Vinny · 12-05-2014 10:37AM

RobbieRuns wrote: »

Robb will end up in the Munster Academy I would say. Brewer has done well to get into the Leinster Academy. Strange that Ruddock obviously rates Robb, who he has selected for the JWC and not picked Brewer.

The academies would always pick on long term potential I would say, look at the areas that can be improved etc.

Munster brought Dan Goggin into the Academy this year so Robb probably end up in Connacht more than likely I would think

.ak · 12-05-2014 10:45AM

I'd be very disappointed is Robb doesn't get picked up by Leinster. I think he's probably the safest bet to make it as a pro. Absolutely built and has very soft hands.

Buer · 12-05-2014 10:57AM

.ak wrote: »

I'd be very disappointed is Robb doesn't get picked up by Leinster. I think he's probably the safest bet to make it as a pro. Absolutely built and has very soft hands.

The problem (as my little brain sees it) is that they select players based on requirement. In the academy, they already have two big, 100kg plus inside centres (Daly and, assuming the rumours ar1e true, Coghlan).

Robb could be a serious victim of circumstance. In an academy that can only take so many players, they need to bring in those that will be able to feed into the senior team and plug the holes there.

I'm sure Robb will get a spot at another academy if he's overlooked with Munster the most likely.

.ak · 12-05-2014 10:58AM

That's a pity. As right now I'd have him ahead of Coughlan.

Buer · 12-05-2014 11:10AM

.ak wrote: »

That's a pity. As right now I'd have him ahead of Coughlan.

I'd lean to a similar opinion, to be honest. Coghlan could be a massive waste of talent if he doesn't make it as a centre. Of those coming into the academy three years ago, himself and McGrath were the players I was most confident of making a splash at senior level.

.ak · 12-05-2014 11:25AM

I'd say the coaches felt the same, hence why they felt they could afford to let him try out at centre. I really hope he makes it now, especially if it's at the expense of Peter Robb, who to be frank, could be a bit of a physical freak in the George North sense.

mogwai81 · 12-05-2014 11:51AM

If he did join Connacht and make it at centre, Henshaw and himself would have to be one of the biggest centre partnerships around.

RobbieRuns · 12-05-2014 11:57AM

But basically it is O'Loughlin, Brewer and Ringrose in ahead of Robb. The Leinster academy boys must not rate him, they do have a need for centres and are taking them in, they must know better than anybody else.

.ak · 12-05-2014 12:01PM

RobbieRuns wrote: »

But basically it is O'Loughlin, Brewer and Ringrose in ahead of Robb. The Leinster academy boys must not rate him, they do have a need for centres and are taking them in, they must know better than anybody else.

I think it's a little short sighted. He's been used a battering ram for Belvo but he showed at u20 level he's a great runner and has silky hands. I think they're looking at who can trasnfer into that level straight away, and maybe Robb is a year off that, but he's the most likely to go pro out of all of them imo.

ArmchairQB · 12-05-2014 01:29PM

.ak wrote: »

I'd be very disappointed is Robb doesn't get picked up by Leinster. I think he's probably the safest bet to make it as a pro. Absolutely built and has very soft hands.

While he is built like a tank his skills are not that great have seen him against the better teams over the last couple of seasons and he doesn't stand out except for his physique. In saying that I think the academy structure is made for guys like him, get him in and improve him. Brewer as said could and should have been put off till next year and see how he goes as he has done nothing to impress, If I had a choice of Robb and Brewer based on potential it would be Robb!.

Rory O'Loughlin is a very lucky boy as he is there on reputation and not form similar to Brewer. Rory has played very little rugby and has major injury concerns and a worrying injuring history. Not the 2 most inspiring signings I have to say

The Academies

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