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Inspired by Alex's series, I was going to one for each of the provinces - but I've too many things in the way to be able to write 4 articles - so I'll be doing 4 twitter threads on them.
Anyone not yet featured for U20s will be only given as initials https://twitter.com/alexshawsport/status/1248215290426667009
Anyone not yet featured for U20s will be only given as initials https://twitter.com/alexshawsport/status/1248215290426667009
The strength of the selections range from a strong XV to a really strong squad with tough choices.
We'll start with Munster because why not?
We'll start with Munster because why not?
At 15 it's an easy choice - Jake Flannery. I still prefer him at 15 long-term. A second playmaker suits his game and maximises his strengths
14. Sean French has the X factor that needs to be in the team. On the wing he can do the most damage while limiting some of the areas he needs to work on.
13. HOR (U19) - No comment until in U20s
13. HOR (U19) - No comment until in U20s
12. Alex McHenry - I don't know much about McHenry, but the options are shallow
11. Calvin Nash - Still criminally underused by Munster
11. Calvin Nash - Still criminally underused by Munster
10. Jack Crowley - by far the toughest choice so far, Ben Healy is super talented and has a rocket of a boot. Crowley may be fractionally less talented, but the 'IT' factor shades it for me.
9. Craig Casey - not a contest, supremely good. Jack Stafford is good too
9. Craig Casey - not a contest, supremely good. Jack Stafford is good too
1. Josh Wycherley - So good that James French is being moved to tighthead
2. Diarmuid Barron - will be close between Barron and Clarke. Both will have their hands full for future honours with 3 ahead of them
3. Kenyan Knox - Signs are good for long term success with senior caps
2. Diarmuid Barron - will be close between Barron and Clarke. Both will have their hands full for future honours with 3 ahead of them
3. Kenyan Knox - Signs are good for long term success with senior caps
4. Fineen Wycherley and 5. Thomas Ahern - what a combo, athletic and gnarly. There are more U19 options to back them up but damn this is good.
6. Gavin Coombes - See C. Nash
7. John Hodnett - Better at 6 or 8, but athletic enough for 7 now.
8. AK (U19) - Sorry JOS
6. Gavin Coombes - See C. Nash
7. John Hodnett - Better at 6 or 8, but athletic enough for 7 now.
8. AK (U19) - Sorry JOS
Ulster
15. Ethan McIlroy - been very good for Ireland on the wing. Has finishing ability but thrives on open space.
14. Rob Baloucoune - Hard to believe he's only 22
13. Hayden Hyde - Unlucky James Hume, Hyde has been the rock for Ireland U20s in 2020. Big talent.
15. Ethan McIlroy - been very good for Ireland on the wing. Has finishing ability but thrives on open space.
14. Rob Baloucoune - Hard to believe he's only 22
13. Hayden Hyde - Unlucky James Hume, Hyde has been the rock for Ireland U20s in 2020. Big talent.
12. Stewart Moore - He's got magic and stability in bundles
11. Rob Lyttle - If he stays fit he's good. It's a big if though.
10. Michael Lowry - A little magician. May be too small for 10, but worth a shot. Can be 15 if it doesn't work
11. Rob Lyttle - If he stays fit he's good. It's a big if though.
10. Michael Lowry - A little magician. May be too small for 10, but worth a shot. Can be 15 if it doesn't work
9. Lewis Finlay - Were it not for Craig Casey's ability there would be more hype about Finlay.
1. Callum Reid - A colossus
2. Tom Stewart - All aboard
3. Tom O'Toole - Very solid and huge workrate. Already with Ireland
1. Callum Reid - A colossus
2. Tom Stewart - All aboard
3. Tom O'Toole - Very solid and huge workrate. Already with Ireland
4. Matt Dalton and 5. Jack Regan - the only second rows that Ulster have at this level both at the end of their academy stay. Dalton has flashed
6. Matt Agnew - Tough call with Marcus Rea amd Aaron Hall also in contention
6. Matt Agnew - Tough call with Marcus Rea amd Aaron Hall also in contention
7 and 8 filled by Azur Allison and David McCann. Two captains growing up at 8, both can play across the row. McCann does everything, Allison has more flair. Two players to build around in the future.
Continuing this from the other day:
Connacht
15. Oran McNulty - very impressive for Ireland U20s. Graceful balance with ball in hand and creates for others
14. Hugh Lane - Don't know much but heard good things
13. SJ
12. Sean O'Brien 3.0 - SOB is back and this time's a centre
Connacht
15. Oran McNulty - very impressive for Ireland U20s. Graceful balance with ball in hand and creates for others
14. Hugh Lane - Don't know much but heard good things
13. SJ
12. Sean O'Brien 3.0 - SOB is back and this time's a centre
11. Colm de Buitlear - High Rugby IQ, very versatile - comfortable in any jersey between 9 and 15.
10. Conor Fitzgerald - Brilliant debut season
9. Colm Reilly - Has a lot to do behind Marmion, Blade, and Kerins
1. Jordan Duggan - Impressed in limited opportunity for U20s
10. Conor Fitzgerald - Brilliant debut season
9. Colm Reilly - Has a lot to do behind Marmion, Blade, and Kerins
1. Jordan Duggan - Impressed in limited opportunity for U20s
2. Dylan Tierney-Martin - Standout for Ireland last year
3. Matt Burke - Has been involved in the senior team a good bit
4 & 5 - Cillian Gallagher and Niall Murray. Very excited duo that will complement each other nicely with grunt and athleticism
6. OMcC
3. Matt Burke - Has been involved in the senior team a good bit
4 & 5 - Cillian Gallagher and Niall Murray. Very excited duo that will complement each other nicely with grunt and athleticism
6. OMcC
7. Sean Masterson - Good operator, should be challenging big brother for squad involvements soon
8. Paul Boyle - Made a big impact on senior team already.
8. Paul Boyle - Made a big impact on senior team already.
Leinster - Woo boy
15. Jordan Larmour - Well duh - unlucky Michael Silvester
14. Andrew Smith - tough choice, superior finishing ability sealed it for me
13. Liam Turner - Big fan of his allround game
15. Jordan Larmour - Well duh - unlucky Michael Silvester
14. Andrew Smith - tough choice, superior finishing ability sealed it for me
13. Liam Turner - Big fan of his allround game
12. David Hawkshaw - I prefer him out in centres where he can be the second playmaker and run lines
11. Tommy O'Brien - Fergus McFadden 2.0 - in versatility and playing style. Intelligent player who could go further than Fergus
11. Tommy O'Brien - Fergus McFadden 2.0 - in versatility and playing style. Intelligent player who could go further than Fergus
10. Harry Byrne - Has been nothing but quality already for Leinster. Only a matter of time
9. Hugh O'Sullivan - A recent convert to 9, but he's done well so far. More to come
1. Michael Milne - Done well when featuring for senior team so far
9. Hugh O'Sullivan - A recent convert to 9, but he's done well so far. More to come
1. Michael Milne - Done well when featuring for senior team so far
2. Ronan Kelleher - Must be close to Ireland's starting hooker soon
3. Thomas Clarkson - Colossus for Ireland U20s for two years
4. Charlie Ryan - Impressive captain for Ireland U20s, now facing a backlog of locks
3. Thomas Clarkson - Colossus for Ireland U20s for two years
4. Charlie Ryan - Impressive captain for Ireland U20s, now facing a backlog of locks
5. Ryan Baird - Hugely athletic and promising, pushing hard for more Leinster gametime. Appears to be skipping the queue a bit
6. Brian Deeney - Versatile back 5 player. Very athletic and hard-hitting. Comfortable anywhere, not sure where he ends up
6. Brian Deeney - Versatile back 5 player. Very athletic and hard-hitting. Comfortable anywhere, not sure where he ends up
7. Scott Penny - An extended national call-up should be close
8. Caelan Doris - Concussion has slowed his inevitable international introduction
8. Caelan Doris - Concussion has slowed his inevitable international introduction
