Ireland u20s 6 Nations and World Championahip 2020

typhoony wrote: »

I see they've completely abandoned Athlone as a venue again for the next 6 nations, home games are down in Cork again. when it the U20's were unfashionable it was fine to have it in Athlone and now with the extra publicity and fame for the u20's it's gone to Cork. just having a rant as I've just discovered there's no Connacht home game over Christmas either, it's a conspiracy I tell you all

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

there will be nothing until day or two before game and sometimes these games will not have any coverage online.

FrannoFan wrote: »

Pitch was often a mess. think that prompted the move to the 4G in donnybrook and now the 4G in Cork. Be great to see it back out West if Connacht get the 4G into the sportsground.

Scottmactom wrote: »

Irish 20's forwards preview

LH Prop
Harry Noonan(Greystone RFC/Old Wesley)
Marcus Hanan(Clane RFC/Old Belvedere)
Mark Donnelly(CBC/Shannon) - u19

Noonan likely to start first game, don't think there is much between him and Hanan be interested to see how both perform. Donnelly looks 3rd choice and may be called upon if theres injuries at the position.

TH Prop
Tom Clarkson(Blackrock/DUFC)
Charlie Ward(Tullow RFC/Clontarf)
Ryan McMahon(Clongowes/Old Belvedere)

Clarkson returns and could captain side.. Was excellent last season as a u19 and will hope to continue that fork this season. Ward got a few caps last summer during the JWC and can cover both sides of scrum. McMahon is an impressive physical prospect but there I'd have concerns over his scrummaging and discipline.

Hooker
John McKee(Campbell/Old Belvedere)
Bobby Sheehan(Clongowes/UCD)
Tom Stewart(BRA/Ballynahinch) - u19

Some concern around this position in regards to line out throwing, Stewart offers the most around the pitch and that could be the difference maker. McKee returns from last season and needs a big season. Sheehan impressed playing AIL last season for UCD as a 18 year old, built like his brother Dan if given an opportunity at this level may surprise.

Lock
Tom Ahern(Dungarvan RFC/Shannon)
Brian Deeny(Wexford RFC/Clontarf)
Eoin O'Connor(Waterpark RFC/Young Munster)
Paddy Kelly(St. Munchins/Garryowen)
Cian Prendergast(Newbridge/UCD)
Cormac Izuchukwu(Roscrea/Old Wesley)
Joe McCarthy(Blackrock/DUFC) - u19

Ahern and Deeny both return after getting capped last summer during the RWC. Deeny could playing 6 but looks more likely to play 4 with Ahern at 5. Both are big athletic players who are a long way from filling out threir frames. O'Connor and Kelly are more physically developed but not as good athletes.. Interested to see who gets the bench spot between them first time up. Prendergast is a lock/blindside and this versatility could earn him a place on the bench. Izuchukwu is top tier athlete who has been playing 7's since last season, he played 13 in school and is very much a player in development at lock. Finally McCarthy is a player who emerged last season while playing for Blackrock, he almost immediately played AIL out of school and while it would be a surprise if he played during the 6 nations due to the depth at the position its only a matter of time before he gets 20s caps.

Backrow
David McCann(RBAI/Banbridge)
Sean O'Brien(Blackrock/UCD)
Mark Hernan(St. Michaels/Lansdowne)
Anthony Ryan(Clongowes/DUFC)
Josh Dunne(Exile/Galwegians)
Lucas Culliton(Roscrea/???)
Cian Hurley(CBC Cork/Garryowen)
Alex Soroka(Belvedere/DUFC) - u19

David McCann returns and the versatile backrow could line up at any of the three positions in the backrow, although I think he could feature at 8 early on. Sean O'Brien is a classic blindside but is capable of covering at 8 also.. Mark Hernan emerged last season captaining st. Micheal's to SCT glory he is a classic openside and while needing to bulkup could get the 1st shot at starting at 7. Anthony Ryan can cover all three backrow positions but looks like Hernans main competition at openside, Ryan is physically much larger than Hernan and this could be a factor when facing bigger packs. Josh Dunne is an exile who joined Connacht last season, he appears to be a classic number 8.. Culliton is an openside who while raw is apparently an excellent athlete. Cian Hurley is a 6/8 who looks more likely to feature at blindside for the 20s if selected. Finally Alex Soroka has played 2nd row, 6 and 8 this season and could feature for the 20s at 6 this season.

Lucas44 wrote: »

Wouldn’t be surprised if Charlie Ward starts loosehead and if Daniel okeke is involved would add considerable beef to the backrow

Lucas44 wrote: »

and was an injury reserve for last years jwc as an u18 sixth year

theVersatile wrote: »

I find this unlikely considering the JWC runs throughout the Leaving Certificate. If he was 5th year (like Alex Kendellan was say for example) that would make sense.

Lucas44 wrote: »

Not st all unlikely Craig Casey travelled the year he did his leaving cert to Georgia to accelerate his development.. not to mention players from years before did their exams during the jwc, Nathan doak looks to be in camp with 20s atm, in the video put up on Instagram there

Hands Like Flippers wrote: »

You sure its Doak u19? Looked like McKee u19 and Finlay u20 to me.