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<blockquote data-quote="big ginger 8" data-source="post: 1098032" data-attributes="member: 53057"><p>Been too long to edit the other post, going to lump the backrow all in together since guys tend to play a few positions and there's so many of them but will go roughly by their standard one. Definitely still our strongest position group despite some losses.</p><p></p><p><strong>Backrow:</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Caelan Doris </strong>(24) - had a bit of an up and down season, absolutely brilliant in the Autumn but dampened a bit towards the end of the club season and was back up by the end of the Summer series after a rough first season. Big positive is that he was pretty much fit the whole season after having been stood down for concussion. Still seems to have one annoying knock on a game but a genuinely world class player at this stage.</p><p></p><p><strong>Rhys Ruddock </strong>(31) - Still performing but possibly no longer guaranteed a place in our strongest 23, which is no mark against him. Steadfast and ever reliable he will captain most URC games and probably still have some European games with how attritional the position is.</p><p></p><p><strong>Martin Moloney </strong>(22) - Got promoted to a senior contract after 7 appearances last year, 2 of which were starts. Put himself about very well very industrious, a very hard hitter and comfortable out wide.</p><p></p><p><strong>Alex Soroka </strong>(21) (Academy Year 3) - Have very high hopes for him. Big athletic flanker who has previously played in the row. Very similar to Cian Prendergast but with better 'pedigree' at underage level. Strong carrier in tight and out wide, good lineout forward and has a great never say die attitude as everyone saw on the South African tour last season.</p><p></p><p><strong>Sean O'Brien </strong>(22) (Academy Year 3) - Only got one cap last year off the bench so will be hoping for a lot more this year with no Josh Murphy. Was a talented player at under age level. His American birth is an interesting wrinkle, went over and played for the LA Giltinis in 2021 getting some good experience I'm sure.</p><p></p><p><strong>Diarmuid Mangan </strong>(19) (Academy Year 1) - Honestly can't remember enough to form much of an opinion about him. Was involved with the 20s mostly from the bench and has played second row as well. </p><p></p><p><strong>Josh Van der Flier </strong>(29) - Really pushed himself to another tier this year. Unbelievable play. Connors coming back will be interesting but he's firmly in possession of the starting jersey for now.</p><p></p><p><strong>Will Connors </strong>(26) - Only managed 51 minutes across two games last year. Easy to forget he was ahead of VDF for Ireland. Hopefully he can come back right, probably the best tackler in Ireland and well suited to our high paced game with all the pull back passes.</p><p></p><p><strong>Scott Penny </strong>(22) - Hard to believe he's still this young (does turn 23 in September) his size will always hold him back but is a very good player in all aspects of openside play. Hope he gets a European start this year.</p><p></p><p><strong>Mark Hernan </strong>(22) (Academy Year 2) - Unfortunately between my first post and this one he has had to retire after suffering 16 shoulder dislocation already.</p><p></p><p><strong>Jack Conan </strong>(30) - Didn't quite hit the heights of his Lions year but wasn't as bad as his detractors would have you believe. Actually quite good I'd say and still in possession of the starting jersey.</p><p></p><p><strong>Max Deegan </strong>(25) - Had a successful enough season all things considered but still has a feeling of unfulfilled potential given his underage awards. Very able performer but needs to make a real fight of it with Conan, still a perception that he has a tendency to go missing.</p><p></p><p><strong>James Culhane </strong>(19) - Yet another scrumcap wearing number 8 out of Blackrock who was a standout at 20s. Looked a very strong all around player but espcially in his attacking game. Very similar carrier to Doris with a good link game.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="big ginger 8, post: 1098032, member: 53057"] Been too long to edit the other post, going to lump the backrow all in together since guys tend to play a few positions and there's so many of them but will go roughly by their standard one. Definitely still our strongest position group despite some losses. [B]Backrow: Caelan Doris [/B](24) - had a bit of an up and down season, absolutely brilliant in the Autumn but dampened a bit towards the end of the club season and was back up by the end of the Summer series after a rough first season. Big positive is that he was pretty much fit the whole season after having been stood down for concussion. Still seems to have one annoying knock on a game but a genuinely world class player at this stage. [B]Rhys Ruddock [/B](31) - Still performing but possibly no longer guaranteed a place in our strongest 23, which is no mark against him. Steadfast and ever reliable he will captain most URC games and probably still have some European games with how attritional the position is. [B]Martin Moloney [/B](22) - Got promoted to a senior contract after 7 appearances last year, 2 of which were starts. Put himself about very well very industrious, a very hard hitter and comfortable out wide. [B]Alex Soroka [/B](21) (Academy Year 3) - Have very high hopes for him. Big athletic flanker who has previously played in the row. Very similar to Cian Prendergast but with better 'pedigree' at underage level. Strong carrier in tight and out wide, good lineout forward and has a great never say die attitude as everyone saw on the South African tour last season. [B]Sean O'Brien [/B](22) (Academy Year 3) - Only got one cap last year off the bench so will be hoping for a lot more this year with no Josh Murphy. Was a talented player at under age level. His American birth is an interesting wrinkle, went over and played for the LA Giltinis in 2021 getting some good experience I'm sure. [B]Diarmuid Mangan [/B](19) (Academy Year 1) - Honestly can't remember enough to form much of an opinion about him. Was involved with the 20s mostly from the bench and has played second row as well. [B]Josh Van der Flier [/B](29) - Really pushed himself to another tier this year. Unbelievable play. Connors coming back will be interesting but he's firmly in possession of the starting jersey for now. [B]Will Connors [/B](26) - Only managed 51 minutes across two games last year. Easy to forget he was ahead of VDF for Ireland. Hopefully he can come back right, probably the best tackler in Ireland and well suited to our high paced game with all the pull back passes. [B]Scott Penny [/B](22) - Hard to believe he's still this young (does turn 23 in September) his size will always hold him back but is a very good player in all aspects of openside play. Hope he gets a European start this year. [B]Mark Hernan [/B](22) (Academy Year 2) - Unfortunately between my first post and this one he has had to retire after suffering 16 shoulder dislocation already. [B]Jack Conan [/B](30) - Didn't quite hit the heights of his Lions year but wasn't as bad as his detractors would have you believe. Actually quite good I'd say and still in possession of the starting jersey. [B]Max Deegan [/B](25) - Had a successful enough season all things considered but still has a feeling of unfulfilled potential given his underage awards. Very able performer but needs to make a real fight of it with Conan, still a perception that he has a tendency to go missing. [B]James Culhane [/B](19) - Yet another scrumcap wearing number 8 out of Blackrock who was a standout at 20s. Looked a very strong all around player but espcially in his attacking game. Very similar carrier to Doris with a good link game. [/QUOTE]
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