U20 6 Nations 2017- Stars of the Future: If there's grass on the pitch play ball

[Groundhog]

I just thought I'd start a thread to discuss the Under 20 six nations, because it's always great to see our young stars playing competitively, and since a jury of his peers ruled that he should stay at least 50 metres from all schools and playgrounds, it's the only opportunity Alpha Bro has to watch young men run around in shorts.
Anyway Ireland have announced their squad. We'll play Scotland away on the third of February. McPhillips, Gallagher and Foley in the backrow are our only boys returning. Wycherly and Nash are rated very highly down here, Lyttle has played some senior rugby for Ulster and looked very comfortable, bagged a few lovely tries and Jordan Larmour is pretty useful. Good Munster representation this year, with Leinster as per usual dominating in every facet except at senior level where it actually matters and people care. Expect us to have a very weak scrum.

Ireland U20 squad:​

Forwards:
Paul Boyle (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
Charlie Connolly (Dublin University / Leinster)
Joey Conway (UL Bohemians / Munster)
Gavin Coombes (Young Munster / Munster)
Peter Cooper (Belfast Harlequins / Ulster)
Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College / Leinster)
Oisin Dowling (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
John Foley (Shannon RFC / Munster)
Cillian Gallagher (Corinthians RFC / Connacht)
Ronan Kelleher (UCD / Leinster)
Sean Masterson (Corinthians / Connacht)
Tadgh McElroy (Lansdowne FC / Leinster)
Rory Mulvihill (UCD RFC / Leinster)
Marcus Rea (Queen’s University / Ulster)
Jack Regan (UCD RFC / Leinster)
Fineen Wycherley (Young Munster / Munster)
Backs:
Rory Butler (Queen’s University / Ulster)
Peadar Collins (Garryowen / Munster)
Liam Coombes (Garryowen / Munster)
Conor Dean (St. Mary’s College / Leinster)
Conor Fitzgerald (Shannon RFC / Munster)
Colm Hogan (Dublin University / Munster)
Ciaran Frawley (UCD RFC / Leinster)
Jack Kelly (Dublin University / Leinster) (captain)
Jordan Larmour (St. Mary’s College / Leinster)
Jack Lyons (Young Munster / Munster)
Robert Lyttle (Queen’s University / Ulster)
Johnny McPhillips (Ballynahinch / Ulster)
Gavin Mullin (UCD RFC / Leinster)
Calvin Nash (Young Munster / Munster)
Tommy O’Brien (UCD RFC / Leinster)
Johnny Stewart (Queen’s University / Ulster)

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Larmour, the next next Gary Ringrose! Watch out.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Larmour, the next next Gary Ringrose! Watch out.

So overrated international bench player?

Interesting to see the England squad considering the club's won't be releasing the U20's involved in the prem. (Which is surprisingly a lot esp with the international players out).

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

So overrated international bench player?

Interesting to see the England squad considering the club's won't be releasing the U20's involved in the prem. (Which is surprisingly a lot esp with the international players out).

Jokes on you because the next Gary Ringrose is Rory O'Loughlin and he isn't even in the Ireland squad! (He's also older than Gary so probably wouldn't appreciate the ***le...)

 

[munstermuffin]

Calvin Nash hopefully makes good impact. Has a bright future and is in our HEC squad.
Have heard good things about Masterson up in Connacht too

 

[Groundhog]

So overrated international bench player?

Interesting to see the England squad considering the club's won't be releasing the U20's involved in the prem. (Which is surprisingly a lot esp with the international players out).

It's alive!

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Don't know much about the Irish forwards but there are a few very talented backs in that squad. Of the Leinster players, Jordan Larmour and Jack Kelly are the pick of the bunch.

Kelly follows James Ryan, Nick McCarthy, Dan Leavy and Luke McGrath from St Michaels as Ireland's most recent captains at u20 level. Some record for one school.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins)
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons)
Theo Brophy Clews (London Irish)
Will Butler (Worcester Warriors)
Josh Caulfield (Exeter Chiefs)
Justin Clegg (Worcester Warriors)
Joe Cokanasiga (London Irish)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
Ollie Dawe (Bristol Rugby)
Ben Earl (Saracens)
Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors)
Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens)
Ciaran Knight (Gloucester Rugby)
Curtis Langdon (Sale Sharks)
Max Malins (Saracens)
Jack Maunder (Exeter Chiefs)
Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
Dominic Morris (Saracens)
Joseph Morris (Worcester Warriors)
Joe Mullis (Gloucester Rugby)
Jack Nay (Saracens)
Tom Parton (London Irish)
Jake Pope (Sale Sharks)
Harry Randall (Gloucester Rugby)
Alex Seville (Gloucester Rugby)
Jamie Shillcock (Worcester Warriors)
Jacob Umaga (Wasps)
Max Wright (Yorkshire Carnegie)
Zac Xiourouppa (Worcester Warriors)

Paolo Odogwu being with Sale is a bit of a bummer, as I think he probably would have left u20's players as spastic roadkill.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Suspect a few of those will miss it anyway Shillcock and Curries IMO.

What is the rule re Championship and U20's? Can Irish keep mean Joe and TBC?

 

[ratsapprentice]

I suppose they could, although LI seem to have been resting them intentionally... so I suspect they will allow them to go to the 6N.

The JWC team could potentially be at full strength though (including Odogwu).

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Very disappointed to see Odogwu miss out, but if it means he's getting more game time for us then I'm happy with that.
Considering how well the Curry bros are going at senior/European level they should clean up shop against the toddlers.

 

[Groundhog]

Suspect a few of those will miss it anyway Shillcock and Curries IMO.

What is the rule re Championship and U20's? Can Irish keep mean Joe and TBC?

Excuse me on the last bit?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Excuse me on the last bit?

London Irish.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Joe Cokanasiga and Theo Brophy-Clews both play for LI in the Championship.

Video of Big Joe, by the way.... (2:30)



114kg

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

So many AP teams will be after him once his contract runs out.

Can't see Mercer playing in the 6n's either.

Damn how many U20's are in or around the first teams of prem teams this year?
Shillcock
Mercer
Evans
Odogwu
Curries
Maunder

 

[ratsapprentice]

https://u20rugby.wordpress.com/2017/01/24/england-2017-u20-six-nations-squad-breakdown/

 

[Holmesy]

How are the Curry brothers? What kind of players are they? It's quite interesting. Is one a 6 and the other a 7 or are they destined to be fighting for the same jersey?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

They're both 7s, though both have experience of playing 6 and 8 (to fit them both in the same side).
Surprisingly powerful considering they're 18 and pretty slight for pro rugby players, massive workrates and fast too. Both lineout options and both VERY good at the breakdown. Initially worked with Hendre Fourie and now work with Dan Braid, so have had a lot of real top end knowledge/experience to tap throughout their rugby education so far.
Both have looked completely at home in senior rugby since they made their debuts.

 

[munstermuffin]

Anyone know what Daniel Brennan will be like

 

[Groundhog]

Anyone know what Daniel Brennan will be like

Bloody size of that lad. Has en espoirs contract with Tolouse, no idea if he's any use, but we're sure to find out. Only 18.