Ireland u20 6 nations and world championship 2021

Wegians89 · 18-01-2021 4:52pm

bayern wrote: »

Possible irish u20 backline

9. Doak
10. Corkery
11. Rankin
12. Carson
13. Kiely
14. Moxham
15. Osborne

Or

9. Murphy
10. Whooley
11. Leahy
12. Flannery
13. Jennings
14. McGettrick
15. Cosgrave

Forde at 10 ?

bayern · 18-01-2021 4:57pm

Wegians89 wrote: »

Forde at 10 ?

it's possible.

Locke_Lamora · 18-01-2021 5:29pm

Dubinusa wrote: »

Moxham looks like the business. He looks physically ready could be a top level talent.

Very raw in terms of skill and looked lost defensively in last years u20's. In terms of physical tools he looks great, and the Ulster coaches have obviously seen something in him recently that they haven't previously.

Burkie1203 · 18-01-2021 5:34pm

France being France.

https://twitter.com/Murray_Kinsella/status/1351192786184368134?s=19

UAEguy2020 · 18-01-2021 7:20pm

bayern wrote: »

Possible irish u20 backline

9. Doak
10. Corkery
11. Rankin
12. Carson
13. Kiely
14. Moxham
15. Osborne

Or

9. Murphy
10. Whooley
11. Leahy
12. Flannery
13. Jennings
14. McGettrick
15. Cosgrave

For me

9 Doak
10 Corkery
11 Moxham
12 Martin
13 Kiely
14 Cosgrave
15 Osborne

OneLungDavy · 18-01-2021 7:25pm

Does the standard of u20s seem better this year for Ireland? There seems to be some hype around a number of lads.

bayern · 18-01-2021 7:28pm

OneLungDavy wrote: »

Does the standard of u20s seem better this year for Ireland? There seems to be some hype around a number of lads.

there is hype around a number of players every year, i'd say this year is no different.

I'd be reluctant to say this years team will be as good as last years or the year before.

Ulster & Connacht have a number of top prospects, which is good to see. But Munster aren't as strong as previous years. While Leinster may be stronger than last year but not close to the year previous.

UAEguy2020 · 18-01-2021 7:38pm

OneLungDavy wrote: »

Does the standard of u20s seem better this year for Ireland? There seems to be some hype around a number of lads.

It’s hard to tell really until they come together. Must say I didn’t think much of last years u20 group until the 6N and I must say I was blown away at how good they were.

GURU NR 1 · 18-01-2021 8:29pm

bayern wrote: »

Illo was in recent ireland u20 camp, no sign of O'Malley though.

O’Malley must be injured so.....

bayern · 18-01-2021 8:31pm

GURU NR 1 wrote: »

O’Malley must be injured so.....

Could be.

Lucas44 · 18-01-2021 10:29pm

GURU NR 1 wrote: »

If anyone had seen last years u19 Interpros, Leinster's front row of Sam Illo and Hugo O'Malley were clearly the dominant props, expect both to feature

Boyle is the best prop in Leinster, ahead of the two mentioned by a landslide

OneLungDavy · 19-01-2021 9:52am

bayern wrote: »

there is hype around a number of players every year, i'd say this year is no different.

I'd be reluctant to say this years team will be as good as last years or the year before.

Ulster & Connacht have a number of top prospects, which is good to see. But Munster aren't as strong as previous years. While Leinster may be stronger than last year but not close to the year previous.

It's probably just me being more aware of them this year. During the first lockdown when we had no rugby for months, I found myself watching schoolboy rugby and researching all the best prospects.

alanb92 · 20-01-2021 9:30pm

Just catching up on the predictions for the backline now, lots of interesting selection dilemmas. Is Harry O’Riordan injured or has he dropped off a bit? Also, has Karl Martin not played much rugby lately due to injury or other?
Thanks in advance.

donnybrook1 · 21-01-2021 3:06am

From certain events recently the most likely team for Ireland 20s is

1.Boyle
2.Stewart
3.Egan
4.McCarthy
5.Sheridan
6.Soroka
7.McCormack
8.Kendellen
9.Doak
10.Corkery
11.Moxham
12.Martin / Carson
13.O’Riordan
14.Osbourne
15.Cosgrave

Hands Like Flippers · 21-01-2021 3:58pm

donnybrook1 wrote: »

From certain events recently the most likely team for Ireland 20s is

1.Boyle
2.Stewart
3.Egan
4.McCarthy
5.Sheridan
6.Soroka
7.McCormack
8.Kendellen
9.Doak
10.Corkery
11.Moxham
12.Martin / Carson
13.O’Riordan
14.Osbourne
15.Cosgrave

Cheers.

Just wondering why Egan? What events are you thinking of as regards him? I haven't seen him feature lately unless he attended the wider u20 camp.

Lucas44 · 21-01-2021 4:07pm

donnybrook1 wrote: »

From certain events recently the most likely team for Ireland 20s is

1.Boyle
2.Stewart
3.Egan
4.McCarthy
5.Sheridan
6.Soroka
7.McCormack
8.Kendellen
9.Doak
10.Corkery
11.Moxham
12.Martin / Carson
13.O’Riordan
14.Osbourne
15.Cosgrave

Would be shocked if darragh Murray doesn’t start, also Shane Jennings will be ahead of o’riordan for 13, will just depend on if Kelly plays or not

donnybrook1 · 21-01-2021 10:00pm

O’Riordan surely starts at 13 , very close to the team last year started and played well against Munster Development. Second Row/ Back Row about 3 nailed down spots in terms of soroka McCarthy and kendellen
Between Murray and Sheridan for second row and backdown depending on soroka position . Number 7 is a position that is open with 4 Connacht back rows and Crothers vying for that position

alanb92 · 22-01-2021 1:56am

Do we expect it to be 1 year too soon for Tector to start at 10? He was very impressive in the Schools cup last year. ROG name checked him on Newstalk earlier in relation to long term 10 prospects.

Hands Like Flippers · 01-02-2021 7:03pm

When is squad likely do be announced?

bayern · 01-02-2021 7:18pm

Hands Like Flippers wrote: »

When is squad likely do be announced?

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting.

Lost Ormond · 01-02-2021 7:18pm

Hands Like Flippers wrote: »

When is squad likely do be announced?

Considering its not starting next weekend and As we dont know when the tournament will be played then who knows.

Lost Ormond · 03-02-2021 3:30pm

Confirmed no world championship this year.

Was always likely to be this way.
Shame. Wonder if games can be played at some stage so players born in 01 at least get a chance of playing some rep rugby this season

bayern · 03-02-2021 3:32pm

The U20s Six Nations will take place across June and July in the same format as originally planned, but through a condensed 3-week period. The tournament is expected to start on 19 June.

Further fixture dates, venues and kick off times for both tournaments will be announced in due course.

bayern · 03-02-2021 4:02pm

alanb92 wrote: »

Do we expect it to be 1 year too soon for Tector to start at 10? He was very impressive in the Schools cup last year. ROG name checked him on Newstalk earlier in relation to long term 10 prospects.

could be a bolter.. lots of talent at 10 this year though.

OneLungDavy · 03-02-2021 4:27pm

bayern wrote: »

The U20s Six Nations will take place across June and July in the same format as originally planned, but through a condensed 3-week period. The tournament is expected to start on 19 June.

Further fixture dates, venues and kick off times for both tournaments will be announced in due course.

How can they play 5 games in 3 weeks?

bayern · 03-02-2021 4:30pm

OneLungDavy wrote: »

How can they play 5 games in 3 weeks?

same as the JWC, quick turn arounds and bigger squads with more rotation.

Lost Ormond · 03-02-2021 4:31pm

OneLungDavy wrote: »

How can they play 5 games in 3 weeks?

Same format as in junior world cup. playing every 4 days or so.
Every world championship see's sides playing 5 games in 18 or 19 days

bayern · 04-02-2021 4:05pm

https://www.the42.ie/will-hickey-ospreys-back-row-5345162-Feb2021/

confirmation of a well known rumour.

realhorrorshow · 04-02-2021 4:24pm

bayern wrote: »

https://www.the42.ie/will-hickey-ospreys-back-row-5345162-Feb2021/

confirmation of a well known rumour.

Makes sense, I think more young Irish players should look at moving to other Pro14 clubs.

arsebiscuits1 · 04-02-2021 4:29pm

Hickie presumably 19 still meaning he'd be eligible for Wales at 24 which is still a pretty reasonable age. I'm sure he'd hope to be an established back row in the next few years.

Definite room to get first team rugby at Ospreys in the next few seasons too.

Hope it works out for him

stellenbosch · 04-02-2021 4:31pm

bayern wrote: »

https://www.the42.ie/will-hickey-ospreys-back-row-5345162-Feb2021/

confirmation of a well known rumour.

Hes already there apparently

04-02-2021 5:50pm

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Hickie presumably 19 still meaning he'd be eligible for Wales at 24 which is still a pretty reasonable age. I'm sure he'd hope to be an established back row in the next few years.

Definite room to get first team rugby at Ospreys in the next few seasons too.

Hope it works out for him

Best case he gets a heap of game time and eventually comes back ala beirne

bayern · 06-02-2021 9:44am

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-40221629.html

good article on rugby now, also confirms Marcus Kiely was cut.

Number 137 · 10-02-2021 6:14pm

Had a look at a few stats in terms of which clubs and schools have supplied the most players to u20s squads since 2008 until 2020. Based on the opening matchday 22/23 named for the Six Nations, here is what I found. I've named the top in each criteria

Total

- Blackrock 30
- St. Michael's 27
- Clongowes 14

Forwards

- St. Michael's 13
- Blackrock 11
- CC Roscrea & Clongowes 10

Backs

- Blackrock 19
- St. Michael's 14
- Methodist & Crescent 6

Front Row

- CC Roscrea 6

Second Row

- Blackrock 5

Back Row

- St. Michael's 6

Half Backs

- St. Michael's 10

Midfield

- Blackrock 9

Outside Backs

- Blackrock 6

Lost Ormond · 10-02-2021 6:27pm

Number 137 wrote: »

Had a look at a few stats in terms of which clubs and schools have supplied the most players to u20s squads since 2008 until 2020. Based on the opening matchday 22/23 named for the Six Nations, here is what I found. I've named the top in each criteria

Total

- Blackrock 30
- St. Michael's 27
- Clongowes 14

Forwards

- St. Michael's 13
- Blackrock 11
- CC Roscrea & Clongowes 10

Backs

- Blackrock 19
- St. Michael's 14
- Methodist & Crescent 6

Front Row

- CC Roscrea 6

Second Row

- Blackrock 5

Back Row

- St. Michael's 6

Half Backs

- St. Michael's 10

Midfield

- Blackrock 9

Outside Backs

- Blackrock 6

Is that just listing the final school where some will have attended. So Carbery is Blackrock despite only playing there for a year

No surprise these schools have most considering the resources they have both in facilities, coaches and number of players.

bayern · 11-02-2021 3:41pm

u20's named in A sides:

Connacht
13. Shane Jennings
12. Cathal Forde
16. Eoin de Buitlear

Backrows
Hubert Costello, Oisin McCormack, Donnacha Byrne, Diarmuid McCormack

Scrumhalf
Matthew Devine

Munster
6. Alex Kendellen
21. Ethan Coughlan

bayern · 11-02-2021 11:45pm

Alex Kendellan listed at 6'1, 104kg... pretty small for a modern 8.

Squidgy Black · 12-02-2021 12:14am

bayern wrote: »

Alex Kendellan listed at 6'1, 104kg... pretty small for a modern 8.

Pretty small is a bit harsh considering the average height is around 6'3 outside of the likes of Stander at 6'1 or Sam Simmons at 6'.

Doris and Deegan are listed as 106/108 respectively so wouldn't be concerned about his weight either depending on his frame

bayern · 12-02-2021 9:42am

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Pretty small is a bit harsh considering the average height is around 6'3 outside of the likes of Stander at 6'1 or Sam Simmons at 6'.

Doris and Deegan are listed as 106/108 respectively so wouldn't be concerned about his weight either depending on his frame

just don't see many internationals playing 8 at 6'1, I would have concerns he can carry enough weight and retain athleticism.

Deegan and Doris are both 6'4 and rangy athletes.

Niallof9 · 12-02-2021 10:23am

Speaking of Munster youth prospects, what are the chances of Okeke making it. He seems like a big boy.

I agree 6,1 does seem rather small for an 8. He's an excellent prospect though.

Personally i fear we try to box too smart in this country. We'll jettison larger lads as too obvious. I remain convinced a Victor Costelloe or even a Vunipola type wouldn't be looked at anymore.

You can see this happening to Sean French as well. We seem more ready to back the smaller guy with dog in him and consistency then anything.

Eventually our lack of size will kill us, if it hasn't already. We just aren't good enough or have the numbers to back a NZ type policy of smaller bodies.

Or is it truly a lack of real monsters coming through? Are there no more Des Dillons (as crap as he turned out), Bob Caseys, Damien Brownes, Costelloes anymore?

bayern · 12-02-2021 10:25am

Niallof9 wrote: »

Speaking of Munster youth prospects, what are the chances of Okeke making it. He seems like a big boy.

I agree 6,1 does seem rather small for an 8. He's an excellent prospect though.

Personally i fear we try to box too smart in this country. We'll jettison larger lads as too obvious. I remain convinced a Victor Costelloe or even a Vunipola type wouldn't be looked at anymore.

define "make it"

Why?

bayern · 12-02-2021 10:26am

Niallof9 wrote: »

Speaking of Munster youth prospects, what are the chances of Okeke making it. He seems like a big boy.

I agree 6,1 does seem rather small for an 8. He's an excellent prospect though.

Personally i fear we try to box too smart in this country. We'll jettison larger lads as too obvious. I remain convinced a Victor Costelloe or even a Vunipola type wouldn't be looked at anymore.

You can see this happening to Sean French as well. We seem more ready to back the smaller guy with dog in him and consistency then anything.

Eventually our lack of size will kill us, if it isn't already. We just aren't good enough or have the numbers to back a NZ type policy of smaller bodies.

French is an awful defender, until he sorts that out then he is a liability.

Niallof9 · 12-02-2021 10:30am

bayern wrote: »

French is an awful defender, until he sorts that out then he is a liability.

As are plenty of others in the system already. Hence what i'm talking about. Cause perhaps he's a little bigger or whatnot he doesn't get the same pass.

I can't prove it or anything, but personally i think its happening.

I mean our body size in Japan was for the heat, yes, but Aki has already talked about the negatives of it. While Henshaw probably got too big.

In terms of Kendallan, unless he's at Underhill levels he's possibly too small.

Its just a hunch.

Having played rugby all my life i know its not for the lack of size i've played against enough monsters in my time. I think its an active policy of slimming guys down or only recruiting based on other parameters. Size isn't everything, of course not. And most of our big lads never really made any impact. Costelloe, Casey, Browne, Quinlan, Downey and so on. Was it part of a similar mindset. The opposite of "good face". I don;t know if other countrys would have misused a Victor Costelloe. And we often moaned, and still do, of how small we are etc.

bayern · 12-02-2021 10:31am

Niallof9 wrote: »

As are plenty of others in the system already. Hence what i'm talking about. Cause perhaps he's a little bigger or whatnot he doesn't get the same pass.

I can't prove it or anything, but personally i think its happening.

I mean our body size in Japan was for the heat, yes, but Aki has already talked about the negatives of it. While Henshaw probably got too big.

Its just a hunch.

Having played rugby all my life i know its not for the lack of size i've played against enough monsters in my time.

thats bollix, French was notably awful for the irish 20's defensively, much worse than any of his peers but was still picked regularly.

12-02-2021 10:32am

bayern wrote: »

just don't see many internationals playing 8 at 6'1, I would have concerns he can carry enough weight and retain athleticism.

Deegan and Doris are both 6'4 and rangy athletes.

at 6 foot tHodnett played 8 at 20s level and was looking very good at 7 at senior level.before getting hurt so that's a possible option

Niallof9 · 12-02-2021 10:35am

bayern wrote: »

thats bollix, French was notably awful for the irish 20's defensively, much worse than any of his peers but was still picked regularly.

its hardly bollix. I'm talking about at every level. Stockdales been woeful, albeit at a much higher level. Lowe is getting critcism. French played most of his career at 12.

Hodnett looks class. If Kendallan is at the same level, thats great news for Munster.

I think the discarding of certain players because of certain traits and picking another type will hurt Irish rugby long term. I think its already happening.

Not only would Costelloe not make it now, neither would a Keith Wood. His throwing, as he admits himself wasn't good enough. Give me a Keith Wood over a Herring any day of the week. Cronin is a live example of it. A criminal waste of one of our best open field forwards.

And its not only me who thinks this. Jackman was talking about this recently if i can find the link.

I will say though, the skill levels of our youth players are insane. Which is a great change.

My criticism is part of a broder pov as well. Like the idea of turning Ahern into a second row despite having played winger all his life, same as Cormac Izuchukwu.

Its the same mindset that sees Conroy not a pro rugby player and i'd wager the same fate awaits aaron Sexton.

bayern · 12-02-2021 10:40am

Niallof9 wrote: »

I'm talking about at every level. Stockdales been woeful, albeit at a much higher level. French played most of his career at 12.

Hodnett looks class. If Kendallan is at the same level, thats great news for Munster.

I think the discarding of certain players because of certain traits and picking another type will hurt Irish rugby long term. I think its already happening.

Not only would Costelloe not make it now, neither would a Keith Wood. His throwing, as he admits himself wasn;t good enough.

And its not only me who thinks this. Jackman was talking about this recently if i can find the link.

I will say though, the skill levels of our youth players are insane. Which is a great change.

have you watched irish rugby? when has poor throwing stopped any hooker from getting a contract?

bayern · 12-02-2021 10:41am

Draven Ashy Sealskin wrote: »

at 6 foot tHodnett played 8 at 20s level and was looking very good at 7 at senior level.before getting hurt so that's a possible option

Kendellan could be an option at 7, just don't see it as an 8 at that size.

bayern · 12-02-2021 10:42am

Niallof9 wrote: »

its hardly bollix. I'm talking about at every level. Stockdales been woeful, albeit at a much higher level. Lowe is getting critcism. French played most of his career at 12.

Hodnett looks class. If Kendallan is at the same level, thats great news for Munster.

I think the discarding of certain players because of certain traits and picking another type will hurt Irish rugby long term. I think its already happening.

Not only would Costelloe not make it now, neither would a Keith Wood. His throwing, as he admits himself wasn't good enough. Give me a Keith Wood over a Herring any day of the week. Cronin is a live example of it. A criminal waste of one of our best open field forwards.

And its not only me who thinks this. Jackman was talking about this recently if i can find the link.

I will say though, the skill levels of our youth players are insane. Which is a great change.

Insane? I wouldn't agree, it's improved from a very low level but still loads of room for improvement.

OneLungDavy · 12-02-2021 10:43am

Niallof9 wrote: »

As are plenty of others in the system already. Hence what i'm talking about. Cause perhaps he's a little bigger or whatnot he doesn't get the same pass.

I can't prove it or anything, but personally i think its happening.

I mean our body size in Japan was for the heat, yes, but Aki has already talked about the negatives of it. While Henshaw probably got too big.

In terms of Kendallan, unless he's at Underhill levels he's possibly too small.

Its just a hunch.

Having played rugby all my life i know its not for the lack of size i've played against enough monsters in my time. I think its an active policy of slimming guys down or only recruiting based on other parameters. Size isn't everything, of course not. And most of our big lads never really made any impact. Costelloe, Casey, Browne, Quinlan, Downey and so on. Was it part of a similar mindset. The opposite of "good face". I don;t know if other countrys would have misused a Victor Costelloe. And we often moaned, and still do, of how small we are etc.

Quinlan was never a monster.

John Madigan is another example. Although it was Rassie who got rid of him so we can't really blame the Irish system for that.

I agree we seem to have a, sometimes, strange selection policy regarding big lads. If your naturally big, your in the tight-five. Two years was wasted on Gavin Coombes trying to play him at lock. If Billy Vunipola was Irish he'd be a tighthead prop.

Ireland u20 6 nations and world championship 2021

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