Ireland U20s 2014-15

Mike Ruddock has stepped down. Connachts academy coach Nigel Carolan takes over.

http://www.thescore.ie/ireland-u20s-ruddock-carolan-1717535-Oct2014/

Returning U20 players from last season

Oisin Heffernan
Garry Ringrose
Billy Dardis
Josh Murphy
Sean McNulty
Harrison Brewer
Jack Cullen
Ciaran Gaffney
Nick McCarthy
Ross Byrne
Ross Moloney

Many of those players are playing in the B&I cup and All Ireland league.

Ulster won this seasons interpros. Leinster came second, Connacht third and Munster last. So expect Ulster to have more than 2 players this season. Leinster will dominate the make up of the squad again.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
IRELAND UNDER-20 Squad (2015 Under-20 RBS 6 Nations):

Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Harrison Brewer (Terenure College/Leinster) *
Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster)*
Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster)
Fergal Cleary (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jack Cullen (Shannon/Munster) *
Billy Dardis (UCD/Leinster) *
Lorcan Dow (Queen's University/Ulster)
Jack Dwan (Leinster)
Stephen Fitzgerald (Shannon/Munster)
Ciaran Gaffney (Galwegians/Connacht) *
Oisin Heffernan (Terenure College/Leinster) *
Michael Lagan (Ballymena/Ulster)
Jeremy Loughman (UCD/Leinster)
Zac McCall (Queen's University/Ulster)
Nick McCarthy (UCD/Leinster) (capt) *
Sean McNulty (UCD/Munster) *
Stephen McVeigh (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/Connacht) *
Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster) *
David O'Connor (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
Conan O'Donnell (Sligo/Connacht)
Conor Oliver (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
Greg O'Shea (Shannon/Munster)
Jack Owens (Queen's University/Ulster)
Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) *
Cian Romaine (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Jacob Stockdale (Queen's University/Ulster)
Alexander Thompson (Queen's University/Ulster)
Nick Timoney (St. Mary's College/Leinster)

*Played last season as well.

4 Munster, 5 Connacht, 7 Ulster, 14 Leinster

I wonder will having Nigel Carolan as U20s coach mean that a rake of U20s will now head to Connacht (rather than Lansdowne)?

This could be a very good move to establish Connacht as the development province with the U20s coach there and maybe base the new Ireland 7s team there as well.

It must be said, Ruddock did a good job while with the U20s.

Sin é wrote:I wonder will having Nigel Carolan as U20s coach mean that a rake of U20s will now head to Connacht (rather than Lansdowne)?

This could be a very good move to establish Connacht as the development province with the U20s coach there and maybe base the new Ireland 7s team there as well.

It must be said, Ruddock did a good job while with the U20s.

Interesting thought,that hadn't occurred to me.That could be a very good move for a lot of players who are stuck behind established internationals at the other 3 provinces.

Ireland have New Zealand and Argentina in their JWC group. Any thoughts on how this will go?

Sin é wrote:I wonder will having Nigel Carolan as U20s coach mean that a rake of U20s will now head to Connacht (rather than Lansdowne)?

This could be a very good move to establish Connacht as the development province with the U20s coach there and maybe base the new Ireland 7s team there as well.

It must be said, Ruddock did a good job while with the U20s.

Good point. I think he'll persuade a few to move west. It would be a more efficient use of resources and especially good for Connacht and Ireland.
Players are far more likely to get games with Connacht than the other provinces.

profitius wrote:Ireland have New Zealand and Argentina in their JWC group. Any thoughts on how this will go?

Sin é wrote:I wonder will having Nigel Carolan as U20s coach mean that a rake of U20s will now head to Connacht (rather than Lansdowne)?

This could be a very good move to establish Connacht as the development province with the U20s coach there and maybe base the new Ireland 7s team there as well.

It must be said, Ruddock did a good job while with the U20s.

Good point. I think he'll persuade a few to move west. It would be a more efficient use of resources and especially good for Connacht and Ireland.
Players are far more likely to get games with Connacht than the other provinces.

It's very hard to say,New Zealand have been getting weaker and Argentina improving in general but each year is different.I don't think the SH teams play a competition so it's hard to gauge just how good their teams are each year but I think we can safely assume NZ will be strong.

profitius wrote:Good point. I think he'll persuade a few to move west. It would be a more efficient use of resources and especially good for Connacht and Ireland.
Players are far more likely to get games with Connacht than the other provinces.

Really? Connacht have more NIQ players than the rest of the provinces and with hardly any Irish Test players, there won't be gaps to fill in the International windows. The investment going into Connacht is to make them more competitive in the League rather than be a receptacle to develop youngsters.

The Great Aukster wrote:

profitius wrote:Good point. I think he'll persuade a few to move west. It would be a more efficient use of resources and especially good for Connacht and Ireland.
Players are far more likely to get games with Connacht than the other provinces.

Really? Connacht have more NIQ players than the rest of the provinces and with hardly any Irish Test players, there won't be gaps to fill in the International windows. The investment going into Connacht is to make them more competitive in the League rather than be a receptacle to develop youngsters.

Of course. They've a smaller squad so players are more likely to get game time throughout the season. Shane Delahunt started on Friday and just joined their academy. He'd have to wait years in other provinces.

Connacht have a small budget and need to bring through players. The IRFU want them to produce their own players. That's the goal for every team. The young players won't be waiting long in Connacht for a chance.

Ulster are certainly seeing the benefit of Allen Clarke persuading Alan O'Connor to move North when he was U20s coach, he's been very useful.

IRELAND UNDER-20 Squad (2015 Under-20 RBS 6 Nations):

Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Harrison Brewer (Terenure College/Leinster) *
Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster)*
Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster)
Fergal Cleary (Lansdowne/Leinster)
Jack Cullen (Shannon/Munster) *
Billy Dardis (UCD/Leinster) *
Lorcan Dow (Queen's University/Ulster)
Jack Dwan (Leinster)
Stephen Fitzgerald (Shannon/Munster)
Ciaran Gaffney (Galwegians/Connacht) *
Oisin Heffernan (Terenure College/Leinster) *
Michael Lagan (Ballymena/Ulster)
Jeremy Loughman (UCD/Leinster)
Zac McCall (Queen's University/Ulster)
Nick McCarthy (UCD/Leinster) (capt) *
Sean McNulty (UCD/Munster) *
Stephen McVeigh (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/Connacht) *
Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster) *
David O'Connor (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
Conan O'Donnell (Sligo/Connacht)
Conor Oliver (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
Greg O'Shea (Shannon/Munster)
Jack Owens (Queen's University/Ulster)
Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) *
Cian Romaine (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Jacob Stockdale (Queen's University/Ulster)
Alexander Thompson (Queen's University/Ulster)
Nick Timoney (St. Mary's College/Leinster)

4 Munster, 5 Connacht, 7 Ulster, 14 Leinster

Props:
Jeremy Loughman, Conan O'Donnell, Michael Lagan, Oisin Heffernan

Hookers:
Sean McNulty, Zac McCall

Locks:
Jack Dwan, Alex Thompson, Cian Romaine, David O'Connor

Backrow:
Lorcan Dow, Nick Timoney, Conor Oliver, Josh Murphy, Stephen McVeigh, Rory Moloney

Scrum Half:
Nick McCarthy, Jack Cullen

Out Half:
Ross Byrne, Joey Carbery

Centres:
Garry Ringrose, Harrison Brewer, Fergal Cleary, Sam Arnold

Back 3:
Ciaran Gaffney, Jacob Stockdale, Greg O'Shea, Stephen Fitzgerald, Billy Dardis, Jack Owens



Theres a good look at the squad here https://irishunderagerugby.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/ireland-under-20-2015/

IRELAND UNDER-20 Team & Replacements (v Italy Under-20s, 2015 Under-20 RBS 6 Nations, Stadio Pozzi Lamarmora, Biella, Friday, February 6, kick-off 7pm local time/6pm Irish time):

15. Billy Dardis (UCD/Leinster) *
14. Greg O'Shea (Shannon/Munster)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) *
12. Fergal Cleary (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11. Jack Owens (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)
10. Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
9. Nick McCarthy (UCD/Leinster) (capt) *
1. Jeremy Loughman (UCD/Leinster)
2. Zack McCall (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)
3. Oisin Heffernan (Terenure College/Leinster) *
4. David O'Connor (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
5. Alex Thompson (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)
6. Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster) *
7. Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/Connacht) *
8. Lorcan Dow (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)

Replacements:

16. Adam McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster)
17. Michael Lagan (Ballymena/Ulster)
18. Conan O'Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht)
19. Cian Romaine (Buccaneers/Connacht)
20. Nick Timoney (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
21. Jack Cullen (Shannon/Munster) *
22. Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster)
23. Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster)

* Denotes previously capped at this level

Thanks for the team Prof - surprised there is no Stockdale.

Also only two Munster lads - both backs (where have all the forwards gone)?

Stockdale is injured along with Gaffney, McNulty and Dwan.

Poor planning from Munster means they're playing catch up witht he other provinces. They've been almost on a par with Connacht these last number of years. However they won the schools U18 interpros this season so maybe they're turning a corner. Then again it might just be a freak group of players. Time will tell.


As for the Ireland team. The backs are excellent and the forwards from what I've heard are fairly big this year. Its a strong squad overall so hopefully they'll perform.

Thanks again Prof.

Is this game on TV?

RAI sports 1. An Italian sports channel. Maybe there'll be a stream up.

Italy 15 - 28 Ireland at half time. The pitch is a mudbath


http://ifirstrow.eu/watch/318550/1/watch-italy-vs-ireland,-u20.html

Italy 15 - 47 Ireland. Played in mud basically.

Ireland v France

The Ireland Under-20 team, sponsored by PwC, has been named by head coach Nigel Carolan ahead of Friday's U-20 RBS 6 Nations showdown with France at Dubarry Park (kick-off 7.05pm).

There are two changes to the back-line from the Championship opener last Friday when the Ireland Under-20s overcame their Italian counterparts 47-15 in Biella..

Stephen Fitzgerald, who will win his first cap at this level, is named on the left wing, replacing Greg O'Shea who picked up an injury during the Italian game.

Sam Arnold makes his first start of the tournament, coming in to partner Garry Ringrose in the centre, with Fergal Cleary named among the replacements.

Speaking about the crunch clash with France, which will be broadcast live on RTÉ Two, head coach Nigel Carolan said: "It was great to get the tournament off to a winning start. We are looking forward to playing the French side at home. The guys have been working very hard, but we have no doubt we have a tough battle on our hands against a strong, physical side."

Match tickets can be bought now by calling into the Buccaneers RFC office at Dubarry Park (9.30am to 3pm daily) or at the Bounty from 12 noon daily.

Stand tickets are virtually sold out, so if you want to be sure of a reserved seat, it is best to purchase tickets in advance. However, tickets will be on sale at the turnstiles on match night. There has been exceptional demand for the pre-match function and it is totally sold out.

Ticket prices - Stand €20; Ground/Terrace €15; OAP/Student €10; Family €30 (admits 2 adults and 2 children to terrace). Contact details are: 0861732711 or email rugby@dubarrypark.com.

Concession vouchers for Under-16s are available to schools and clubs in the region. Primary school children will be admitted FREE when accompanied by an adult, while secondary school children get in for half-price: €5.

Present your voucher at the ticket box and you could win an Ireland jersey signed by Robbie Henshaw! The winner's name will be drawn at half-time. If your school or club wishes to get a supply of the concession vouchers, contact Geraldine at 0861732711.

IRELAND UNDER-20 Team & Replacements (v France Under-20s, 2015 Under-20 RBS 6 Nations, Dubarry Park, Buccaneers RFC, Friday, February 13, kick-off 7.05pm):

15. Billy Dardis (UCD/Leinster)
14. Jack Owens (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)
12. Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
11. Stephen Fitzgerald (Shannon/Munster)
10. Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
9. Nick McCarthy (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
1. Jeremy Loughman (UCD/Leinster)
2. Zack McCall (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)
3. Oisin Heffernan (Terenure College/Leinster)
4. David O'Connor (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
5. Alex Thompson (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)
6. Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster)
7. Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/Connacht)
8. Lorcan Dow (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)

Replacements:

16. Adam McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster)
17. Michael Lagan (Ballymena/Ulster)
18. Conan O'Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht)
19. Cian Romaine (Buccaneers/Connacht)
20. Nick Timoney (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
21. Jack Cullen (Shannon/Munster)
22. Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster)
23. Fergal Cleary (Lansdowne/Leinster)

IRELAND UNDER-20 Management Team -

Is tonight's game aired on any channel in UK?

Its on rte 2. Only those in northern Ireland can see it I think but if you have something like hola you can easily view it online.

Well those bastards RTE!

You pay your licence fee, you watch the junk out of some kind of perverse loyalty, you listen to the non-stop 'news department' folk absolutely command most of the air time with the ceaseless bulletins, specials, questions and answers shows, debating the week that woz, and their frumpy dress sense............................

....and then - THEN - they have the cheek to only let people in the North watch the U20 game tonight????

What absolute f**kers!

Sure we'll all be watching Ulster vs Treviso anyway.

20 - 10 to Ireland. Great half of rugby. Ireland look more dangerous with the ball but the French scrum is well on top and they're a more powerful side.

Are Ireland a cheeky bet for this tournament? Wouldn't be a bad shout after Wales losing to Scotland; we had a bit of a 2nd half implosion. Surprised you stuffed them last week as they actually looked decent.

what was the Welsh Scottish score?

Getting info about the u20 competition is like looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack

We stuffed Italy last week,I think France gave Scotland a bit of a hiding.Ireland winning 27-10 now lovely try from Dardis after great work from Ross Byrne..France have some class athletes and can get scores from nowhere but in structured phase play Ireland look far better.

36-34 to Scotland I think I heard that somewhere.

Ah right, I got mixed up. Ireland in structured phase play has always been an area of strength for Ireland U20s, it's something Wales have struggled to deal with in the past.

27-17 the French tight head rumbles over from short range after an impressive French maul was stopped just short.

Ireland now need to slow things down...don't get into a running battle with these guys.

27-20 France looking far stronger this half,really good game some lovely play from both sides.

France pace really running away from Ireland's ability to defend against it. If it keeps up, the try will come

sloppy lineout! - then brilliant defence.

We have to push to regain some kind of attacking momentum.

penalty kick for Ireland looking for 30 -20

...and....

it's there.

Wow! Intercept by Ireland...try

35-20 to Ireland,good forward play forced a penalty to make it 30-20 and then immediately after the restart Ringrose intercepted and ran in a try under the posts to seal the match.Great stuff from Ireland.

edit: 37-20 now after the conversion.

37 - 20

Now, it the time to show true grit and not let them in for anything 'consolation'. True test of intent if they just keep them out fully

why do I get even more nervous when the game is won and I absolutely get feveish hoping they keep them out?

I really detest those late consolations....

That's it.

37 - 20 to Ireland final score

SecretFly wrote:why do I get even more nervous when the game is won and I absolutely get feveish hoping they keep them out?

I really detest those late consolations....

No idea,it makes no sense to me at all.

..maybe just much much too competitive for my own good.

Or simply much, much too scared that the habit of sitting too casually on a win can often be that difference between actually winning and losing in the last seconds.

Byrne and Ringrose look like they could play P12 rugby tommorow. Its a very exciting team but the scrum is a worry especially against the likes of England and SA in the JWC.

I thought the scrum was ok periodically. The consistency isn't there though. Joy to watch otherwise

IRELAND UNDER-20 Team & Replacements (v England Under-20s, 2015 Under-20 RBS 6 Nations, Donnybrook, Friday, February 27, kick-off 7.05pm):

15. Billy Dardis (UCD/Leinster)
14. Jack Owens (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)
12. Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
11. Stephen Fitzgerald (Shannon/Munster)
10. Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster)
9. Nick McCarthy (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
1. Jeremy Loughman (UCD/Leinster)
2. Zack McCall (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)
3. Oisin Heffernan (Terenure College/Leinster)
4. David O'Connor (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
5. Alex Thompson (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)
6. Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster)
7. Rory Moloney (Buccaneers/Connacht)
8. Lorcan Dow (Queen's University Belfast/Ulster)

Replacements:

16. Adam McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster)
17. Michael Lagan (Ballymena/Ulster)
18. Conan O'Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht)
19. Cian Romaine (Buccaneers/Connacht)
20. Nick Timoney (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
21. Jack Cullen (Shannon/Munster)
22. Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster)
23. Harrison Brewer (Terenure College.Leinster)

Thanks for posting the team again Prof.

In a strange way I'm pleased with the result. Ireland played the better rugby and scored the best try, but the loss will develop the players far more than the win would have. It was stupid and indefensible not to take the penalty in front of the posts with 7+ minutes left and only five points difference - there's backing yourselves and then there's sheer idiocy and that was the latter.

Byrne will hopefully never make such a bad decision again with a kick to two or three in the English backfield and only Owens chasing on that whole side of the pitch. He looks to me to be a smart enough player to learn from that. Fitzgerald is a frustrating player too, bags of pace and attitude yet fumbled his chance for an early try and again late on his hands let him down. His try was great but he didn't see that he could have made yards infield towards the posts to make the conversion easier - plenty to work on. Zack McCall was mightily impressive too both in the set piece and the loose as indeed was Jeremy Loughman.

Ringrose was deservedly MOTM and was superb both on and off the pitch. I liked the way he knew it was Piers O'Connor scored the first England try, and no doubt he will also learn from his missed tackle on Marchant.

Plenty to work on which is what these guys need.

Yeah it was a really good performance and the difference was we butchered 2 gilt edged try chances and gifted England their first try.This is the first time since the WC with Hanrahan and Henderson in the team where I've seen an Irish side match up physically to the English.

Overall we look to have a very strong team at this level with some real stars,the one thing I would be concerned about in anticipation of the WC is that our bench didn't stand up very well compared to the English,their subs really made an impact on the game.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:Yeah it was a really good performance and the difference was we butchered 2 gilt edged try chances and gifted England their first try.This is the first time since the WC with Hanrahan and Henderson in the team where I've seen an Irish side match up physically to the English.

Overall we look to have a very strong team at this level with some real stars,the one thing I would be concerned about in anticipation of the WC is that our bench didn't stand up very well compared to the English,their subs really made an impact on the game.

I thought Ireland struggled physically. England were noticeably bigger and targeted the breakdown in the second half which ment Ireland couldn't get their backs into the game.

Ringrose was the stand out player on the pitch. The Ireland starting front row played well and looked stronger in the scrums.

Ireland really shot themselves in the foot. Gifting England easy scores and wasting opportunities themselves.

profitius wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:Yeah it was a really good performance and the difference was we butchered 2 gilt edged try chances and gifted England their first try.This is the first time since the WC with Hanrahan and Henderson in the team where I've seen an Irish side match up physically to the English.

Overall we look to have a very strong team at this level with some real stars,the one thing I would be concerned about in anticipation of the WC is that our bench didn't stand up very well compared to the English,their subs really made an impact on the game.

I thought Ireland struggled physically. England were noticeably bigger and targeted the breakdown in the second half which ment Ireland couldn't get their backs into the game.

Ringrose was the stand out player on the pitch. The Ireland starting front row played well and looked stronger in the scrums.

Ireland really shot themselves in the foot. Gifting England easy scores and wasting opportunities themselves.  

I'd agree we struggled in the 2nd half but imo that was more down to our subs being weaker than theirs.In the first half we really dominated and the game should have been over if Fitzgerald had made a simple catch and Dardis made a simple pass.

Id imagine Loughman will be in serious demand from all the provinces and could even get a good contract abroad (just look at Coulson).

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Id imagine Loughman will be in serious demand from all the provinces and could even get a good contract abroad (just look at Coulson).

He can play tighthead too I think. Himself and Heffernan are 2 more good props for Leinster.

Ireland Under-20 team & Replacements (v Wales Under-20, Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay - Kick-off 7.30pm)

15 - Billy Dardis (UCD/ Leinster)
14 - Ciaran Gaffney (Galwegians/Connacht)
13 - Garry Ringrose (UCD/ Leinster)
12 - Sam Arnold (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
11 - Stephen Fitzgerald (Shannon/ Munster)
10 - Ross Byrne (UCD / Leinster)
9 - Nick McCarthy (UCD/ Leinster) CAPTAIN
1 - Jeremy Loughman (UCD / Leinster)
2 - Zack McCall (QUB/Ulster)
3 - Oisin Heffernan (Terenure/Leinster)
4 - Cian Romaine (Buccaneers/Connacht)
5 - Josh Murphy (UCD/Leinster)
6 - Nick Timoney (St. Mary's/Leinster)
7 - Conor Oliver (St. Mary's/ Leinster)
8 - Lorcan Dow (QUB/Ulster)

Replacements

16 - Adam McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster)
17 - Andrew Porter (UCD/ Leinster)
18 - Conan O'Donnell (Sligo/NUIG/Connacht)
19 - David O'Connor (St. Mary's/Leinster)
20 - Stephen McVeigh (Buccaneers/ Connacht)
21 - Conor Young (QUB/Ulster)
22 - Joey Carbery (UCD/Leinster)
23 - Jacob Stockdale (QUB/ Ulster)


WALES UNDER-20 TEAM TO FACE IRELAND

15. Joe Gage (Ospreys).
14. Joshua Adams (Scarlets)
13. Owen Watkin (Ospreys)
12. Garyn Smith (Blues)
11. Rhys Williams (Leicester Tigers);
10. Jarrod Evans (Blues)
9. Tom Williams (Blues);

1. Luke Garrett (Dragons)
2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets)
3. Dillon Lewis (Blues)
4. Joe Davies (Dragons)
5. Rory Thornton (capt, Ospreys),
6. Harrison Keddie
7. Ollie Griffiths (Dragons)
8. Jon Fox (Ospreys)

Replacements:
16. Liam Belcher (Blues),
17. Keagan Bale (Dragons)
18. Alex Jeffries (Dragons)
19. Adam Beard (Ospreys)
20. Jordan Viggers (Blues)
21. Kieran Hardy (Scarlets)
22. Daniel Jones (Scarlets)
23. Barney Nightingale (Dragons)
Read more at http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/news/u20/28045.php#OTUAuXAASCXdIMax.99