Ireland U20 2015 6 nations and junior world cup

Hagz · 24-08-2014 4:18pm

I noticed Stephen Fitzgerald isn't 19 till late November. Does that make him eligible for u20s next year as well?

stellenbosch · 24-08-2014 4:34pm

Hagz wrote: »

I noticed Stephen Fitzgerald isn't 19 till late November. Does that make him eligible for u20s next year as well?

No-he is eligible only this year for U20 Interpros and Ireland. He would need to be born in 1996 for him to be eligible next year as well as far as I am aware.

The Lost Sheep · 24-08-2014 4:36pm

Hagz wrote: »

I noticed Stephen Fitzgerald isn't 19 till late November. Does that make him eligible for u20s next year as well?

No. He's born in 1995. In final year to play 20s this season

The Lost Sheep · 26-08-2014 8:35pm

Munster 20s are on tour in France at the moment
They played Clermont today losing 19-13. Eoin O Carroll and Gearoid Lyons scored trys with Tomas Quinlan scoring a penalty

Munster team(1-15) was:
Liam O'Connor, Luke O'Halloran, Liam McMahon, Frank Bradshaw-Ryan, Aaron Hogan, Conor Barry, Luke O'Leary, Dave St Ledger; Jack Cullen, Gearoid Lyons, Will Leonard, Paul Kiernan (Capt), Shane McAuliffe, Eoin O'Carroll, Robbie Deegan

RedemptionZ · 27-08-2014 2:15am

SillySimon wrote: »

Charlie Rock is a good player but tiny, cant see him making the academy setup.

My thoughts too. The game has evolved to a point where smaller players have to seriously compensate for their lack of size. You won't be seeing much more 5'7" players coming through these days unless they've got some sort of edge to balance it out. Charlie Rock is a very nice player and if he was 3 or 4 inches bigger and 10 or 15 kgs heavier he might've picked up the Leinster spot.

Hagz · 27-08-2014 3:01am

Well Luke McGrath can't but much taller than Rock and Leinster are resting their hopes on him. Although McGrath is an absolute beast for his size.

But the best scrum-half in the world is 5'7 so there's hope for any pocket sized 9s knocking about. If they pass over Rock then next up is young Osbourne who if anything is smaller.

RedemptionZ · 27-08-2014 3:24am

Hagz wrote: »

Well Luke McGrath can't but much taller than Rock and Leinster are resting their hopes on him. Although McGrath is an absolute beast for his size.

But the best scrum-half in the world is 5'7 so there's hope for any pocket sized 9s knocking about. If they pass over Rock then next up is young Osbourne who if anything is smaller.

Well that's the point I suppose, Luke McGrath is the best scrum half to have played schools rugby in at least the last decade IMO, I feel like Charlie Rock isn't at that level nor will he ever be. The nature of the position means that all things equal, a smaller guy will be at an advantage, but how many instances are speed and strength equal?

tigerbarron · 27-08-2014 5:15pm

Rock is similar to Dave Shanhan.. he is too small and slight and isn't a realistic option fof the leinster academy.. Rowan Osborne is likely i the same boat..

The likely next academy scrumhalf is Dave Duggan with Andrew Feeney and Dan Lavelle with outside chances.

Shame Tim Schmidt isnt a better player..

The Lost Sheep · 31-08-2014 12:06am

Munster beat Leicester 26-17 in their second game in France
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/18954

Ulster lost to London Irish u20s 27-24 on Thursday

Interprovincial games start next weekend.
Leinster v Munster in Ashbourne and Ulster v Connacht in Ravenhill

Anyone going to games?

The Lost Sheep · 02-09-2014 11:31am

Taken from Academies thread as more suitable here....
Playoff to get into 20's premier league for 6 teams on weekend of September 27th Belvo have got 5th place spot as seapoint have pulled out;

Blackrock College v Naas
Clontarf v Greystones
St Marys College v NUIM Barnhall

Munster-Connacht Under 20s league is split into North and South Conferences and theyre to start in a months time
Section A
Dolphin, Sundays Well, Highfield, Kanturk/Charleville, UCC, Cork Con, Midleton, Clonakilty/Kinsale, WIT/Waterpark, Ballincollig

Section B
Young Munster, UL Bohs, Old Crescent, NUIG-Corinthians, Tralee, Garryowen,
Buccaneers, Nenagh Ormond, Bruff, Shannon, Galwegians

Hagz · 04-09-2014 6:06am

u19s win over Saints

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHMHyjDuNWk

Tries from Nick Peters, Jimmy O'Brien, Matthew Bursey and Alan Hughes.

.ak · 04-09-2014 10:10am

Last try was a beaut.

Tox56 · 04-09-2014 11:27am

Hagz wrote: »

u19s win over Saints
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHMHyjDuNWk

Tries from Nick Peters, Jimmy O'Brien, Matthew Bursey and Alan Hughes.

Jesus who was that forward who straightened the line and made the sonny bill offload for the last try? That was glorious

The Lost Sheep · 04-09-2014 2:49pm

15. Jack Power (UCD RFC)
14. Adam Leavy (St. Michael's College)
13. Conor O'Brien (Mullingar RFC)
12. Harrison Brewer (Terenure College RFC)
11. Cormac Brennan (Old Belvedere RFC)/ Robert Vallejo (New Ross RFC)
10. Joseph Carbery (UCD RFC)
9. Charlie Rock (Old Belvedere RFC) Captain
1. Andrew Porter (St. Andrew's College)
2. Jack McKenna (Lansdowne FC)
3. Jeremy Loughman (Blackrock College)
4. David O'Connor (Blackrock College)
5. Jack Dwan (Blackrock College)
6. Josh Murphy (UCD RFC)
7. Conor Oliver (St. Mary's College RFC)
8. Nick Timoney (St. Mary's College RFC)
Replacements:
16. Andrew Roche (Terenure College RFC)
17. Eric O'Sullivan (Templeogue College)
18. Ntinga Mpiko (Lansdowne FC)
19. Greg Jones (St. Andrew's College)
20. Samuel Pim (Kilkenny College)
21. Tim Schmidt (Terenure College RFC)
22. Sean Kearns (Blackrock College)
23. Fergal Cleary (Clongowes Wood College S.J.)

15. Stephen Fitzgerald (Capt.)(Shannon RFC)
14. Greg O'Shea (Shannon RFC)
13. Paul Kiernan (UCC)
12. Gearóid Lyons (Young Munster RFC)
11. Stephen McMahon (Garryowen FC)
10. Tomás Quinlan (Cork Constitution FC)
9. Jack Cullen (Shannon RFC)
1. Brendan Quinlan (Cork Constitution FC)
2. Seán McNulty (UCD)
3. Mike O'Donnell (Crescent College Comprehensive)
4. Frank Bradshaw-Ryan (Shannon RFC)
5. Glen Stokes (Cork Constitution FC)
6. Johnny Keane (Garryowen RFC)
7. Luke O'Leary (Cork Constitution FC)
8. David St.Leger (Presentation College Cork)

Replacements:
16 Luke O'Halloren (St Munchin's College)
17 Dennis O'Connell (Shannon RFC)/Liam O'Connor (Christian Brothers College)
18 Greg Roche (Cork Constitution FC)
19 Cormac Blake (Crescent College Comprehensive)
20 Conor Barry (UCC/Bandon RFC)
21 Jason Higgins (Christian Brothers College)
22 Will Leonard (Shannon RFC)
23 Ed O'Keefe (Young Munster RFC)

Hagz · 04-09-2014 3:04pm

Tox56 wrote: »

Jesus who was that forward who straightened the line and made the sonny bill offload for the last try? That was glorious

Max Deegan. St.Michael's College.

Bridge93 · 04-09-2014 3:06pm

is the game in Donnybrook?

The Lost Sheep · 04-09-2014 3:11pm

Bridge93 wrote: »

is the game in Donnybrook?

Its on in Ashbourne. Pitch in Donnybrook not ready yet

Hagz · 04-09-2014 3:48pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7sQGM5iueI

shuffol · 04-09-2014 3:54pm

Hagz wrote: »

Max Deegan. St.Michael's College.

Lovely offload from the back of the scrum for the first try too.

RobbieRuns · 04-09-2014 4:32pm

Both sets of backs in the Leinster and Munster teams look pretty good. Should be a good game.

The Lost Sheep · 04-09-2014 10:21pm

Connacht team
1 Conor Kyne (Galwegians)
2 Rory Litchfield (Galwegians)
3 Conan O’Donnell (Sligo)
4 Cian Romaine (Buccaneers)
5 James Doyle (Galwegians)
6 Alex Penny (NUIG)
7 Joshua Pim (Buccaneers)
8 Stephen McVeigh (Buccaneers)
9 Conor Lowndes (Galwegians)
10 Aidan Moynihan (Galwegians)
11 Oisin Leahy (NUIG)
12 Ben Ridgeway (Galwegians)
13 Dwayne Corcoran (Westport)
14 Joseph D’Arcy (Galwegians
15 Anthony McGivney (NUIG)
16 Pat O’Toole (Corinthians)
17 Conor Doyle (Buccaneers)
18 Craig Hansberry (Corinthians)
19 Roy Stanley (NUIG)
20 Marc Kelly (Corinthians)
21 Ricky Dixon (Buccaneers)
22 Andrew Shanahan (NUIG)
23 Dylan Kelso (Buccaneers)

Ulster team
1. Michael Lagan (captain, Ballymena)
2. Zac McCall (Queen’s University)
3. Dane Fitzpatrick (Ballynahinch)
4. Tom Donnan (TBC)
5. Nigel Simpson (Queen’s University)
6. Callum Irvine (TBC)
7. Caleb Montgomery (TBC)
8. Lorcan Dow (Queen’s University)
9. Conor Young (Instonians)
10. Sean O’Hagan (Queen’s University)
11. Jacob Stockdale (TBC)
12. Conor McKee (Queen’s University)
13. Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch)
14. Adam Liddell (Malone)
15. Jack Owens (Queen’s University)
16. Andrew McGrath (TBC)
17. Darryl Morton (Armagh)
18. Angelo Marica (Belfast Harlequins)
19. Josh Davidson (TBC)
20. Ross Todd (TBC)
21. Josh Fullerton (Belfast Harlequins)
22. Jack Milligan (Dungannon)
23. Michael Cartmill (Malone)

Stainalert · 04-09-2014 11:15pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Connacht team
1 Conor Kyne (Galwegians)
2 Rory Litchfield (Galwegians)
3 Conan O’Donnell (Sligo)
4 Cian Romaine (Buccaneers)
5 James Doyle (Galwegians)
6 Alex Penny (NUIG)
7 Joshua Pim (Buccaneers)
8 Stephen McVeigh (Buccaneers)
9 Conor Lowndes (Galwegians)
10 Aidan Moynihan (Galwegians)
11 Oisin Leahy (NUIG)
12 Ben Ridgeway (Galwegians)
13 Dwayne Corcoran (Westport)
14 Joseph D’Arcy (Galwegians
15 Anthony McGivney (NUIG)
16 Pat O’Toole (Corinthians)
17 Conor Doyle (Buccaneers)
18 Craig Hansberry (Corinthians)
19 Roy Stanley (NUIG)
20 Marc Kelly (Corinthians)
21 Ricky Dixon (Buccaneers)
22 Andrew Shanahan (NUIG)
23 Dylan Kelso (Buccaneers)

Ulster team
1. Michael Lagan (captain, Ballymena)
2. Zac McCall (Queen’s University)
3. Dane Fitzpatrick (Ballynahinch)
4. Tom Donnan (TBC)
5. Nigel Simpson (Queen’s University)
6. Callum Irvine (TBC)
7. Caleb Montgomery (TBC)
8. Lorcan Dow (Queen’s University)
9. Conor Young (Instonians)
10. Sean O’Hagan (Queen’s University)
11. Jacob Stockdale (TBC)
12. Conor McKee (Queen’s University)
13. Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch)
14. Adam Liddell (Malone)
15. Jack Owens (Queen’s University)
16. Andrew McGrath (TBC)
17. Darryl Morton (Armagh)
18. Angelo Marica (Belfast Harlequins)
19. Josh Davidson (TBC)
20. Ross Todd (TBC)
21. Josh Fullerton (Belfast Harlequins)
22. Jack Milligan (Dungannon)
23. Michael Cartmill (Malone)

Are you sure about those clubs for Connacht team - Pretty sure some of those players are registered to non Connacht clubs

Hagz · 04-09-2014 11:41pm

That's a seriously strong back-line for Ulster.

bilston · 04-09-2014 11:58pm

I would imagine Connacht will have a nice wee welcoming committee organised for Sean O'Hagan!

The Lost Sheep · 05-09-2014 12:46am

Stainalert wrote: »

Are you sure about those clubs for Connacht team - Pretty sure some of those players are registered to non Connacht clubs

All players must be registered with a Connacht club for the purpose of the interpros and to play for Connacht. Some may end up not playing for the clubs they are listed under but most will.

Hagz wrote: »

That's a seriously strong back-line for Ulster.

Very strong. some are only under 19s. And with strength of all provinces especially in backs great for Irish side. Hopefully we can unearth some forwards as strong in the next few months

Stainalert · 05-09-2014 8:34am

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

All players must be registered with a Connacht club for the purpose of the interpros and to play for Connacht. Some may end up not playing for the clubs they are listed under but most will.
Very strong. some are only under 19s. And with strength of all provinces especially in backs great for Irish side. Hopefully we can unearth some forwards as strong in the next few months

Registered for a Connacht club for interpros - Pretty sure the IRFU advised them otherwise and that any player whose registration was switched over to a Connacht club for interpro's purposes would not be switched back. Can tell you for a fact that some of those players are not registered with a Connacht club - Who are Connacht trying to kind? Complete propaganda and window dressing

The Lost Sheep · 05-09-2014 11:54am

Stainalert wrote: »

Registered for a Connacht club for interpros - Pretty sure the IRFU advised them otherwise and that any player whose registration was switched over to a Connacht club for interpro's purposes would not be switched back. Can tell you for a fact that some of those players are not registered with a Connacht club - Who are Connacht trying to kind? Complete propaganda and window dressing

Most of the 20s will just play for the club they are listed with - All but a few are with senior AIL clubs and will either play AIL or u20s in South West Conference the others are with their junior clubs in Connacht.
I phrased sentence wrong. Some players are with junior clubs in Connacht and will be on dual status with clubs in other provinces. They will primarily be playing with clubs in other provinces

ArmchairQB · 05-09-2014 2:41pm

I know of at least 6 in that Connacht squad who have no connection to any club there what so ever have never played or set foot in the club they are supposedly assigned to and will not play rugby for any Connacht club this season. I persume there is more. Connacht playing silly buggers and I know have been rebuked by IRFU for some sharp practice. Very dissapointing from a professional set up and hopefully young lads don't loose out in playing rugby next season as there is a huge question mark as to whether they will be allowed transfer back to clubs they were with as IRFU had warned Connacht that transfers back to clubs may be blocked.

Would be interesting if they published schools that these players attended

The Lost Sheep · 05-09-2014 2:52pm

ArmchairQB wrote: »

I know of at least 6 in that Connacht squad who have no connection to any club there what so ever have never played or set foot in the club they are supposedly assigned to and will not play rugby for any Connacht club this season. I persume there is more. Connacht playing silly buggers and I know have been rebuked by IRFU for some sharp practice. Very dissapointing from a professional set up and hopefully young lads don't loose out in playing rugby next season as there is a huge question mark as to whether they will be allowed transfer back to clubs they were with as IRFU had warned Connacht that transfers back to clubs may be blocked.

Would be interesting if they published schools that these players attended

Connacht are not playing silly buggers. They are picking the best players of those who are playing age grade rugby with sides in the province already and looking at those who are going to college in Galway and some who may not be. This isn't disappointing to see from Connacht. What would you want them to do instead of this?
No young players will lose(sic) out on playing rugby and if they wanted to play for Connacht but not play with a club in Connacht they should have looked to sign with a junior club in Connacht on dual status as they could then stay with their senior club in Munster/Leinster and still be registered to play with a Connacht club and be eligible for provincial 20s side.

They probably wont say which schools the players attended as all provinces don't..

ArmchairQB · 05-09-2014 3:02pm

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Connacht are not playing silly buggers. They are picking the best players of those who are playing age grade rugby with sides in the province already and looking at those who are going to college in Galway and some who may not be. This isn't disappointing to see from Connacht. What would you want them to do instead of this?
No young players will lose(sic) out on playing rugby and if they wanted to play for Connacht but not play with a club in Connacht they should have looked to sign with a junior club in Connacht on dual status as they could then stay with their senior club in Munster/Leinster and still be registered to play with a Connacht club and be eligible for provincial 20s side.

They probably wont say which schools the players attended as all provinces don't..

again your entitled to your opinion but totally disagree. Connacht are masking the fact that they are not developing most of these players. Why assign them to clubs at all. Leinster still publish school names until the players have decided on a club. Petty stupid stuff and fools nobody but shows that they think the public are stupid and think province is in great shape with new talent. They rightly develop talent from all over in academy and ifthey are investing in them they put them with clubs but doing what they do at 20's is silly no matter what angle you look at it from

Stainalert · 05-09-2014 3:21pm

ArmchairQB wrote: »

again your entitled to your opinion but totally disagree. Connacht are masking the fact that they are not developing most of these players. Why assign them to clubs at all. Leinster still publish school names until the players have decided on a club. Petty stupid stuff and fools nobody but shows that they think the public are stupid and think province is in great shape with new talent. They rightly develop talent from all over in academy and ifthey are investing in them they put them with clubs but doing what they do at 20's is silly no matter what angle you look at it from

Agree with ArmchairQB. Connacht are lying about the actual clubs these players are actually registered to and effectively trying to tell everyone that these players were developed from within which is complete baloney. Sorry Lost Sheep but it is completely indefensible and that is not just my opinion or Armchair QB's as they have been warned by the IRFU about this already.

stellenbosch · 05-09-2014 3:39pm

Stainalert wrote: »

Agree with ArmchairQB. Connacht are lying about the actual clubs these players are actually registered to and effectively trying to tell everyone that these players were developed from within which is complete baloney. Sorry Lost Sheep but it is completely indefensible and that is not just my opinion or Armchair QB's as they have been warned by the IRFU about this already.

Totally agree with Stainalert and QB:

FACT-Alex Penny is about to go to UCD to study Finance and Economics and will be playing for UCD-what does "registered" with NUIG mean????

I also understand that very recently there has been another warning issued to Connacht as to who they are selecting for their U18s schools squad.

TellALS · 05-09-2014 3:44pm

Pat O'Toole a connacht player and Ireland under-19 player is on the bench for Rory Litchfield, a player that was with Belvedere last year.
Marc Kelly a connacht academy player is on the bench for Penny who is obviously a Michaels lad.

By my count there is 5 connacht developed players in that squad (O'Donnell, Kyne, Lowndes, O'Toole and Hansberry) the rest are from leinster schools with a few lads from rockwell.

RobbieRuns · 05-09-2014 4:42pm

Hate to say that I agree with most that it is a shame we do not have more local developed lads on the team.

Particularly the likes of Pat O'Toole who was Ire U19 last year and Marc Kelly who is in the academy........... not making the team for the interpro's. (maybe they are not fully fit?)

Even if they are from Leinster schools, the green jersey is being pulled on by them, so good luck to one and all....... C'mon Connacht !

Hagz · 05-09-2014 9:40pm

Leinster u20 beat Munster 32-20.

Tox56 · 05-09-2014 9:43pm

Hagz wrote: »

Leinster u20 beat Munster 32-20.

Good win, on paper Leinster look very strong all round at U20 even with the biggest names missing, as do Ulster and Munster (don't know much about Connacht). Should be a very competitive national team this year

TellALS · 05-09-2014 9:44pm

Ulster won 27-7.

TellALS · 05-09-2014 9:45pm

Hagz wrote: »

Leinster u20 beat Munster 32-20.

Brewer injured early apparently

Hagz · 05-09-2014 9:53pm

TellALS wrote: »

Brewer injured early apparently

Step up Cleary. They'll be competing hard for that 12 jersey for Ireland.

RobbieRuns · 05-09-2014 10:09pm

Fergal Cleary is a class player. Will not be far off the Irish 12 jersey.

The Lost Sheep · 05-09-2014 11:08pm

ArmchairQB wrote: »

again your entitled to your opinion but totally disagree. Connacht are masking the fact that they are not developing most of these players. Why assign them to clubs at all. Leinster still publish school names until the players have decided on a club. Petty stupid stuff and fools nobody but shows that they think the public are stupid and think province is in great shape with new talent. They rightly develop talent from all over in academy and ifthey are investing in them they put them with clubs but doing what they do at 20's is silly no matter what angle you look at it from

Connacht are not masking anything. They are assigning clubs as there may be a call from IRFU or Connacht Branch for this move. Players could still register with NUIG RFC and be registered with a senior club in Dublin and play with both if necessary considering NUIG RFC are a junior club. They are not fooling or attempting to fool the public. They are developing talent within the province but you have to remember there is very very small numbers playing in the province and it is better for Connacht and Irish rugby if they do this. The province is in good shape from the amount of age grade club and school rugby in Connacht that I either attended or officiated at last season. The Connacht development office and sub academy and academy officers/coaches are doing Trojan work but they have very small numbers to work with and are investing in the talent in the province and I don't see how much wrong they are doing.

Stainalert wrote: »

Agree with ArmchairQB. Connacht are lying about the actual clubs these players are actually registered to and effectively trying to tell everyone that these players were developed from within which is complete baloney. Sorry Lost Sheep but it is completely indefensible and that is not just my opinion or Armchair QB's as they have been warned by the IRFU about this already.

They are not lying. You can be registered as dual status and be registered with a junior and senior club. Many who are registered as playing with NUIG may also be registered with a senior club elsewhere. They may play all there rugby with a club in another province but that doesn't change the fact that they are dual status registered with NUIG and their club in Leinster/Munster

stellenbosch wrote: »

Totally agree with Stainalert and QB:

FACT-Alex Penny is about to go to UCD to study Finance and Economics and will be playing for UCD-what does "registered" with NUIG mean????

I also understand that very recently there has been another warning issued to Connacht as to who they are selecting for their U18s schools squad.

Being registered to play with NUIG means being eligible to play with NUIG. Penney could be in UCD and playing there but that doesn't stop him under the dual status regulation from being eligible to play for NUIG RFC.

TellALS wrote: »

Pat O'Toole a connacht player and Ireland under-19 player is on the bench for Rory Litchfield, a player that was with Belvedere last year.
Marc Kelly a connacht academy player is on the bench for Penny who is obviously a Michaels lad.

By my count there is 5 connacht developed players in that squad (O'Donnell, Kyne, Lowndes, O'Toole and Hansberry) the rest are from leinster schools with a few lads from rockwell.

Connacht have a smaller playing base than the rest by far. Its disappointing that Connacht cant produce an entire squad of players who grew up in Connacht, played all or the majority of their age grade rugby in Connacht clubs and schools but we have to face facts. Connacht have by far the smallest playing base. They have such small numbers that many clubs are struggling to field at the oldest age groups, the numbers are so small at some age groups that the referees association are nearly at stage of not officiating at under age games by the finals due to games constantly being called off due to lack of numbers.

Tox56 wrote: »

Good win, on paper Leinster look very strong all round at U20 even with the biggest names missing, as do Ulster and Munster (don't know much about Connacht). Should be a very competitive national team this year

Hopefully the national side are strong. There was plenty who played a year up last year which bodes well for this season.
Will aim to go to at least 1 of the interpros in next two weeks..

Hagz · 05-09-2014 11:20pm

I'm very excited about the quality of backs that will be available to Ruddock. Good depth in every position, and each option comes with a great reputation. I don't think it's ever been this good.

My worry is whether the quality is there in the pack to do the backs justice. If everyone stays fit Ruddock should be able to form a strong starting pack, but is the depth there?

RobbieRuns · 05-09-2014 11:31pm

Hagz wrote: »

I'm very excited about the quality of backs that will be available to Ruddock. Good depth in every position, and each option comes with a great reputation. I don't think it's ever been this good.

My worry is whether the quality is there in the pack to do the backs justice. If everyone stays fit Ruddock should be able to form a strong starting pack, but is the depth there?

Agree completely with you Hagz. Could make arguments for so many of the backs in each position, very very strong, but not sure if the amount of forwards of real quality matches. The injuries will always come, strength in depth is huge.

Hagz · 06-09-2014 12:46am

Nice detailed report from the Leinster website

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/domestic/12402.php#.VApJQVa5I2w

Stainalert · 06-09-2014 12:55am

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Connacht are not masking anything. They are assigning clubs as there may be a call from IRFU or Connacht Branch for this move. Players could still register with NUIG RFC and be registered with a senior club in Dublin and play with both if necessary considering NUIG RFC are a junior club. They are not fooling or attempting to fool the public. They are developing talent within the province but you have to remember there is very very small numbers playing in the province and it is better for Connacht and Irish rugby if they do this. The province is in good shape from the amount of age grade club and school rugby in Connacht that I either attended or officiated at last season. The Connacht development office and sub academy and academy officers/coaches are doing Trojan work but they have very small numbers to work with and are investing in the talent in the province and I don't see how much wrong they are doing.
They are not lying. You can be registered as dual status and be registered with a junior and senior club. Many who are registered as playing with NUIG may also be registered with a senior club elsewhere. They may play all there rugby with a club in another province but that doesn't change the fact that they are dual status registered with NUIG and their club in Leinster/Munster

Being registered to play with NUIG means being eligible to play with NUIG. Penney could be in UCD and playing there but that doesn't stop him under the dual status regulation from being eligible to play for NUIG RFC.
Connacht have a smaller playing base than the rest by far. Its disappointing that Connacht cant produce an entire squad of players who grew up in Connacht, played all or the majority of their age grade rugby in Connacht clubs and schools but we have to face facts. Connacht have by far the smallest playing base. They have such small numbers that many clubs are struggling to field at the oldest age groups, the numbers are so small at some age groups that the referees association are nearly at stage of not officiating at under age games by the finals due to games constantly being called off due to lack of numbers.
Hopefully the national side are strong. There was plenty who played a year up last year which bodes well for this season.
Will aim to go to at least 1 of the interpros in next two weeks..

Excerpt from memo written by Scott Walker to provinces in July re U20s

"For the avoidance of doubt, a player cannot transfer to a club in a province with the intention of achieving eligibility to play for that province and then transfer back to their original club (in another province) at the conclusion of the interprovincial."

3 players on Connacht registered to NUIG on team so even if your dual status excuse is valid (which I am sceptical about) that leaves a lot of other players who Connacht claim are registered with a particular club when in actual fact they are registered with Leinster clubs. You cannot be registered with 2 senior clubs at the same time. A number of players on this list are actually registered with Dublin clubs. That is fact and can easily be verified.

This was not the case last season where player actual clubs were declared. There has been no laws introduced by IRFU whereby players have to be registered with clubs within the province in order to play for that province. Underhand and dishonest by Connacht. No other explanation

The Lost Sheep · 06-09-2014 1:02am

Stainalert wrote: »

Excerpt from memo written by Scott Walker to provinces in July re U20s

"For the avoidance of doubt, a player cannot transfer to a club in a province with the intention of achieving eligibility to play for that province and then transfer back to their original club (in another province) at the conclusion of the interprovincial."

3 players on Connacht registered to NUIG on team so even if your dual status excuse is valid (which I am sceptical about) that leaves a lot of other players who Connacht claim are registered with a particular club when in actual fact they are registered with Leinster clubs. You cannot be registered with 2 senior clubs at the same time. A number of players on this list are actually registered with Dublin clubs. That is fact and can easily be verified.

This was not the case last season where player actual clubs were declared. There has been no laws introduced by IRFU whereby players have to be registered with clubs within the province in order to play for that province. Underhand and dishonest by Connacht. No other explanation

What would you prefer to happen? Connacht be weaker and as a result the interpro series to be not as strong.
Why wouldn't be being dual status not be valid? You can within reason be registered with 2 senior clubs but the reason does not comply with any of the players involved with Connacht at 20s grade this season. I played under 20 rugby with a different senior club to my own as my own club didn't field at under 20 in the season in question.
IRFU didn't introduce any procedure but Connacht did themselves. All the other provinces could do the same. Nothing is underhand or dishonest by Connacht. What would you prefer Connacht to do?

ArmchairQB · 06-09-2014 8:07am

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

What would you prefer to happen? Connacht be weaker and as a result the interpro series to be not as strong.
Why wouldn't be being dual status not be valid? You can within reason be registered with 2 senior clubs but the reason does not comply with any of the players involved with Connacht at 20s grade this season. I played under 20 rugby with a different senior club to my own as my own club didn't field at under 20 in the season in question.
IRFU didn't introduce any procedure but Connacht did themselves. All the other provinces could do the same. Nothing is underhand or dishonest by Connacht. What would you prefer Connacht to do?

Fact of the matter is they could have named the players school and be done with it! The petty attempt to portray them as Connacht club payers is insulting and a blatant attempt to deceive the general public but the rugby public are not fooled at all!

The Lost Sheep · 06-09-2014 2:50pm

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Fact of the matter is they could have named the players school and be done with it! The petty attempt to portray them as Connacht club payers is insulting and a blatant attempt to deceive the general public but the rugby public are not fooled at all!

Why should they? Other provinces use players who played little or no rugby in the respective province before playing under 20. It isn't insulting portraying them as Connacht players and they are attempting to deceive nobody. Can we leave this here and just concentrate on the rugby now?

Board_man · 06-09-2014 2:54pm

Anyone at either of the 2 under 20 inter pro matches last night? Who were the standouts from each province?

Snegg · 06-09-2014 3:29pm

Board_man wrote: »

Anyone at either of the 2 under 20 inter pro matches last night? Who were the standouts from each province?

Was at the Leinster/Munster match.

Joey Carberry looked very capable at 10. He controlled the game well and was very solid kicking both out of hand and off the tee. He moved to 15 late on, and again looked comfortable and a threat on the ball.

I thought Nick Timoney played the best game of rugby I'd seen him play in a long time, offered a very solid platform off the back of the scrum, and got around the park well.

In defence, David O'Connor was immense, tackle well and was an ever present threat at the breakdown.

I expected more from both Jack Power and Jeremy Loughman. Neither were poor, but they've both just set extremely high standards for themselves.
Adam Leavy, on the back of a very strong pre-season, wasn't at his best I felt.

Wasn't paying much attention to the Munster lads to be honest, so can't really comment on them.

Ireland U20 2015 6 nations and junior world cup

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