Irish U20s Six Nations Squad

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John Andrew (Ballymena/Ulster)
Jake Caulfield (Malone/Ulster)
John Creighton (Malone /Ulster)
Steve Crosbie (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
Thomas Daly (Lansdowne/Leinster)
John Donnan (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Peter Dooley (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Conor Joyce (Malone/Ulster)
Sean McCarthy (Shannon/Munster)
Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster)
George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons/Exile)
Ryan Murphy (Dolphin/Munster)
Stuart Olding (Belfast Harlequins /Ulster)
Alexander O'Meara (Hartpury/ Exiles)
David Panther (Corinthians/Connacht)
Rory Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)
Rory Scholes (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
Brian Scott (UCC/Munster)
Darren Sweetnam (UCC/Munster)
Christopher Taylor (Malone/Ulster)
Gavin Thornbury (UCD/Leinster)
Peadar Timmins (UCD/Leinster)
Josh Van Der Flier (UCD/Leinster)


First game is vs Wales - Fri 1st Feb 19:10 Wales U20 v Ireland U20 Parc Eirias. I think it's on RTE 2.

Bit disappointed - I was hoping Olding might leapfrog NOC during the Grown-Ups 6N. I know the Ravens had been playing with him at 10 and O'Connor at 12. He and Joyce have had senior caps - I think Rory Scholes played in a friendly back at the start of the season? Missing Farrell, who is still eligible, due to injury.

Chance for Luke McGarth to start his bid for Leinster scrumhalf-ship?

There's been something bugging me. With the recent article about non-Ireland Irish surname XV I have to ask, are Daly and Thornbury Irish names?

Morgannwg wrote:There's been something bugging me. With the recent article about non-Ireland Irish surname XV I have to ask, are Daly and Thornbury Irish names?

Daly is Irish, Thornbury is very English I would say. In fact going through that list, most of the surnames are probably English!

Does anoyone know if they are showing the game against Scotland on tv?

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Does anoyone know if they are showing the game against Scotland on tv?

Have looked and can't find it on tv anywhere. Why the hell are RTE showing the Glasgow-Ulster Rabo match tonight instead of the Under 20 match.

I really don't know, when you consider BBC are going to be showing the Ulster, you would think RTE would show the 20s. But nope.

Thing is RTE are showing the cream of the Irish u20s... in the Glasgow game!

Heres the team if anyones interested
15 Darragh Leader (Galwegians/Connacht);
14 David Panter (Corinthians/Connacht),
13 Tom Daly (Lansdowne/Leinster),
12 Rory Scannell (Dolphin/Munster),
11 Rory Scholes (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster);
10 Steve Crosbie (Old Belvedere/Leinster),
9 Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) (capt);
1 Peter Dooley (Lansdowne/Leinster),
2 George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons/Exiles),
3 Chris Taylor (Malone/Ulster),
4 Gavin Thornbury (UCD/Leinster),
5 John Donnan (Ballynahinch/Ulster),
6 Peadar Timmins (UCD/Leinster),
7 Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster),
8 Ryan Murphy (Dolphin/Munster).

Replacements: John Andrew (Ballymena/Ulster), Ryan Furness (Worcester Warriors/Exiles), Adam Boland (Lansdowne/Connacht), Jerry Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Eoghan Masterson (Clontarf/Leinster), John Creighton (Malone/Ulster), Mark Roche (Lansdowne/Connacht), Darren Sweetnam (UCC/Munster).

IRELAND UNDER-20 Team & Replacements (v France Under-20s, 2013 RBS Under-20 6 Nations Championship, Dubarry Park, Friday, March 8, kick-off 7.45pm):

15 - Stuart Olding (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
14 - David Panter (Corinthians/Connacht)
13 - Tom Daly (Lansdowne/Leinster)
12 - Rory Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)
11 - Rory Scholes (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
10 - Steve Crosbie (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
9 - Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
1 - Peter Dooley (Lansdowne/Leinster)
2 - George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcon/Exiles)
3 - Christopher Taylor (Malone/Ulster)
4 - Gavin Thornbury (UCD/Leinster)
5 - John Donnan (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
6 - Conor Joyce (Malone/Ulster)
7 - Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)
8 - Ryan Murphy (Dolphin/Munster)

Replacements:

16 - John Andrew (Ballymena/Ulster)
17 - Ryan Furniss (Worcester Warriors/Exiles)
18 - Adam Boland (Lansdowne/Leinster)
19 - Sean McCarthy (Shannon/Munster)
20 - Peadar Timmins (UCD/Leinster)
21 - John Creighton (Malone/Ulster)
22 - Mark Roche (Lansdowne/Connacht)
23 - Darragh Leader (Galwegians/Connacht)

Ireland to take this one, by 7.

It will be interesting to see how our centres handle the very dangerous Fickou.

Also finally good to see a well balanced back row. Van Der Flier should have been starting from game one imo.

The Irish backs have looked good but not the pack - so far. Last year was the opposite with Ireland having a super pack but lacked a cutting edge out wide.

The irish scrum will have to improve also.

3 - 5 to France. France scored from a charge down. Good match so far.

Ireland 9 - 5 France

Ireland look comfortably the better team so far i think.

Ireland 15 - 5 France HT

Ireland dominating so far.

France look awful.

Profitius, what do you think of Scannel? He looks a decent player

Another French player sent to the bin

Another French player sent to the bin. Down to 13 at the moment. That looked a harsh decision. I thought that tackle was fine

Joyce over for a try, Daly converys.

22-5

I was going to say that a 'awful' France should be paying much heavier on the scoreboard if Ireland are proving better.

Now (two players up) they (Ireland) have no excuses. The scoreboard must begin to reflect the 'awfulness' of France.

Convincing score for Ireland, knew you could do it.

Women have won.

Any of them care to pretend they're men??

Great news about the women. Undefeated so far with Italy to come.

SecretFly wrote:

Any of them care to pretend they're men??

Maybe their coaches could move over to the Mens team.

Golden wrote:France look awful.

Profitius, what do you think of Scannel? He looks a decent player

He looks a quality player. He can play 12 or 10, he is a good passer, a good kicker and has good vision. Like his brother in last seasons U20 team, he isn't short in the top 2 inches.

profitius wrote:

Golden wrote:France look awful.

Profitius, what do you think of Scannel? He looks a decent player

He looks a quality player. He can play 12 or 10, he is a good passer, a good kicker and has good vision. Like his brother in last seasons U20 team, he isn't short in the top 2 inches.

His brother was the hooker right? I remember thinking he stuck out alright.

He made a couple of good breaks tonight and he was very good in defence. Daly and him were very solid in defence, although there wasnt much threat from the french.

Crosbie I thought was also pretty good and Olding showed a bit of class although he didnt get much ball.

Darragh Leader was good as well. With him and Layden from last year, Connacht should have some decent players in the back 3 in years to come.

Isn't Leader an Outhalf?

Rory Scannell looked better at 10 in the England game but he's been fine at 12.
OTOH Crosbie looks far more like a 12 than a 10 to me.

There seems to be a few 10/12 players coming through who haven't really got the build to be top class centres (e.g. Hanrahan, Olding, Scannell), and there won't be enough opportunities for them at 10 - why aren't some of them being directed to play 9 instead?

Scrum-half is a forgotten position in Ireland, where the only criterion is how fast and accurate the pass is to the Outhalf who "runs" the game. It's about time some of these talented passers who play 10/12, were encouraged to apply their kicking/ running and most importantly decision making skills to the SH position.

The Great Aukster wrote:Isn't Leader an Outhalf?

Rory Scannell looked better at 10 in the England game but he's been fine at 12.
OTOH Crosbie looks far more like a 12 than a 10 to me.

There seems to be a few 10/12 players coming through who haven't really got the build to be top class centres (e.g. Hanrahan, Olding, Scannell), and there won't be enough opportunities for them at 10 - why aren't some of them being directed to play 9 instead?

Scrum-half is a forgotten position in Ireland, where the only criterion is how fast and accurate the pass is to the Outhalf who "runs" the game. It's about time some of these talented passers who play 10/12, were encouraged to apply their kicking/ running and most importantly decision making skills to the SH position.

If only that were true we'd at least have half the battle won Murray is still clinically dour in his understanding that quicker ball means defences don't have time to set as well as they'd want to. Stop waiting to think...act! Coaches - drill that area to be much quicker and decisive. Our backs are losing reputations from the lack of urgency in that position still. First O'Leary now Murray.

Golden wrote:

profitius wrote:

Golden wrote:France look awful.

Profitius, what do you think of Scannel? He looks a decent player

He looks a quality player. He can play 12 or 10, he is a good passer, a good kicker and has good vision. Like his brother in last seasons U20 team, he isn't short in the top 2 inches.

His brother was the hooker right? I remember thinking he stuck out alright.

He made a couple of good breaks tonight and he was very good in defence. Daly and him were very solid in defence, although there wasnt much threat from the french.

Crosbie I thought was also pretty good and Olding showed a bit of class although he didnt get much ball.

Darragh Leader was good as well. With him and Layden from last year, Connacht should have some decent players in the back 3 in years to come.

His brother was hooker and captain last season and had a good JWC.

Leader had one very good kick. Its good to see so many players on the team who can play 10 and they looked more creative than the French backline. Fickou for France was disappointing, knocking the ball on and failing to make basic passes.

Next season I think Shane Layden will start playing for Connacht.

The Great Aukster wrote:Isn't Leader an Outhalf?

Rory Scannell looked better at 10 in the England game but he's been fine at 12.
OTOH Crosbie looks far more like a 12 than a 10 to me.

There seems to be a few 10/12 players coming through who haven't really got the build to be top class centres (e.g. Hanrahan, Olding, Scannell), and there won't be enough opportunities for them at 10 - why aren't some of them being directed to play 9 instead?

Looking at their weights, Scannell is the same size as Luke Marshall at around the 15st mark while Gordon D'Arcy is under 14.5st. Olding and Hanrahan are around the 14st mark but looking at Matt Giteaux play 12 I think there is a role for the smaller, more creative player. A lower center of gravity can also be a bonus.

Chris Farrell and Tom Daly could be the center partnership in the JWC which would make a big center pairing.

profitius wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:Isn't Leader an Outhalf?

Rory Scannell looked better at 10 in the England game but he's been fine at 12.
OTOH Crosbie looks far more like a 12 than a 10 to me.

There seems to be a few 10/12 players coming through who haven't really got the build to be top class centres (e.g. Hanrahan, Olding, Scannell), and there won't be enough opportunities for them at 10 - why aren't some of them being directed to play 9 instead?

Looking at their weights, Scannell is the same size as Luke Marshall at around the 15st mark while Gordon D'Arcy is under 14.5st. Olding and Hanrahan are around the 14st mark but looking at Matt Giteaux play 12 I think there is a role for the smaller, more creative player. A lower center of gravity can also be a bonus.

Chris Farrell and Tom Daly could be the center partnership in the JWC which would make a big center pairing.

Surprised that Scannell is that weight!

There will be a few interesting calls for the JWC, with Henshaw and maybe Byrne in the mix as well. Tom Daly despite his MOTM performances has been less impressive than Scannell in midfield, but his place kicking has been excellent at times. Then again Scholes and Olding are very competent place kickers.

Ruddock has this team playing well, but given the success of Furness when he came on, why does he keep starting Taylor?

I'm sorry but why would Henshaw be anywhere near an u20 team. It was a disgrace that he missed one of Connacht's games to play the game against England.

The u20s main goal is to bring through young players. Henshaw is already way past u20 level. Lets give another lad a go at the full back position in the JWC.

I think last year was the first year NZ U20s didn't play any players who were involved in super rugby. I'd agree that theres no point playing players who have already made the breakthrough to rabo/HEC rugby.

The Great Aukster wrote:
Surprised that Scannell is that weight!

There will be a few interesting calls for the JWC, with Henshaw and maybe Byrne in the mix as well. Tom Daly despite his MOTM performances has been less impressive than Scannell in midfield, but his place kicking has been excellent at times. Then again Scholes and Olding are very competent place kickers.

Ruddock has this team playing well, but given the success of Furness when he came on, why does he keep starting Taylor?

I was surprised too but he has a stocky build.

Furness did very well when he came on. These are the games that help decide the team for the world cup. Last years JWC team had a few changes compared to the 6N team.

Our JWC team should look a good bit different from this team with players returning from injury. This campaign has showed that we have good dept in the squad.

I suspect Stuart Olding will move into 10 for the JRWC. He's not been fully available in the 6N with his Ulster duties but he's a fantastic talent- whether at 10, 12 or 15.

15: Darragh Leader (Galwegians/Connacht)
14: Darren Sweetnam (UCC/Munster)
13: Tom Daly (Lansdowne/Leinster)
12: Rory Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)
11: Rory Scholes (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
10: Steve Crosbie (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
9: Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) CAPTAIN
1: Peter Dooley (Lansdowne/Leinster)
2: John Andrew (Ballymena/Ulster)
3: Ryan Furniss (Worcester/Exile)
4: Sean McCarthy (Shannon/Munster)
5: John Donnan (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
6: Conor Joyce (Malone/Ulster)
7: Josh Van Der Flier (UCD/Leinster)
8: Ryan Murphy (Dolphin/Munster)

Team for Italy.

Its being streamed on RTE.ie

the game has started being streamed now on the rte website

Italy 5-0 up... good crowd there in Italy

Couldn't get the RTE stream - does it only work in the ROI?

Anyway got the RAI one in Italian! Finished 25 -25. Good second half by Ireland who could and probably should have won the game with a bit more composure. Great crossfield kick by Crosbie and well taken in the air by Scholes for his try - good touchline conversion by Scannell to tie the scores.