It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
That’s not just because it’s starting to snow outside my apartment, but because the Six Nations is around the corner, and squads are being named.
It’s the next year of U20s, where we get a chance to learn about the future of rugby. We’ve seen a lot of talent pass through the U20 Six Nations, and it’s a tournament that has consistently prepared young stars for the grind of professional life.
There are so many points to make about the 2019 Irish squad, that I’ll blast through a number of bullet points before getting to the actual squad
- I’m not claiming to be an expert on these players, nor have I seen all of them in the flesh. I may be wrong on some, but this article is intended to give the casual rugby fan some knowledge so that they will be more interested in watching some U20s rugby, and can be that guy down the pub who says ‘watch out for that O’Driscoll character, I hear he’s good’.
- On that note, these players are by definition 20 or younger, and not all of them will reach the professional ranks. There will be consciously less ‘criticism’ of anyone, and if there are negatives mentioned – it means that the player is definitely good enough to have a long pro career.
- Relating to this squad, there are 40 players included – which is significantly higher than all other Irish U20 squads named in recent memory, barely going over 31 players. That does mean that there are less omissions, but there are a few.
- One omission is scrumhalf Caelan Englefield. Englefield’s exclusion from the squad could be nothing, or it could be a signal to the IRFU policy that removed Tadgh McElroy from the World Cup squad when he wasn’t attached to an Irish province. There are a number of players in this squad that has come through the Exile program, but nearly all of them are now either connected to or linked to, joining an Irish province. (UPDATE – Englefield has been ruled out through injury). Other exclusions include James Ryan’s brother David in the centres and outhalf Conor Kelly.
- In terms of talent in this squad, there is plenty to be excited about. It’s perhaps not approaching 2016 levels where there was a James Ryan, Andrew Porter, Jacob Stockdale, and Max Deegan – but it’s hard to look at a player in the 40 man squad and think that they don’t have a chance to make the professional ranks. The same can’t always be said of other groups. Indeed there are some position groups where future internationals will be forced to sit out.
- Lastly, this week’s senior international squad is a good reminder that while the U20s produce a good number of players, not getting selected to the squads, or even getting selected to start does not mean you can’t make it. Connacht’s Caolan Blade didn’t make the incredibly talented squad in 2014 that included Ross Byrne, Cian Kelleher, Garry Ringrose, Connacht’s Sean O’Brien, and Jack O’Donoghue. Similarly, Connacht wing Matt Healy started at scrumhalf ahead of Conor Murray in his year at U20s. It just means that there are still opportunities if you don’t make the squad or the starting XV.
See Also: Ireland U20 Six Nations Squad 2018
On to the good stuff (listed alphabetically in each position – some players can play more than one position):
| Ireland U20 Squad 2019 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loosehead Prop | Guiseppe Coyne | Michael Milne | Josh Wycherley | ||
| Hooker | John McKee* | Billy Scannell | Dylan Tierney | ||
| Tighthead Prop | Tom Clarkson * | Ryan Lomas | Luke Masters | ||
| Second Row | Ryan Baird | Brian Deeney* | Paddy Kelly* | JJ McKee | Charlie Ryan (vc) |
| Blindside | Niall Murray | Ronan Watters | |||
| Openside | Martin Moloney | Scott Penny | |||
| No. 8 | Azur Allison | John Hodnett | David McCann * | ||
| Scrumhalf | Craig Casey (vc) | Cormac Foley | Colm Reilly | ||
| Outhalf | Harry Byrne | Ben Healy | Bruce Houston | ||
| Inside Centre | David Hawkshaw (c) | Stewart Moore | Oli Morris | ||
| Outside Centre | Sean French | ||||
| Wing | Angus Kernohan | Aaron O’Sullivan | Conor Phillips | Liam Turner | Rob Russell |
| Fullbacks | Jake Flannery | Iwan Hughes | James McCarthy | Jonathan Wren | |
| * denotes U19, bold denotes U20 experience , underline denotes provincial experience | |||||
Note: Stewart Moore, Angus Kernohan, and Azur Allison have all been ruled unavailable for the opening game against England.
There are a lot of familiar names in the front row, mostly because the likes of Billy Scannell, Josh Wycherley, as well as Harry Byrne and Sean French in the backs, are all younger brothers of players who are making their mark on the provincial scene or who have come through the Irish U20s in recent years.
Like his older brother Niall, Billy Scannell is a talented hooker from Munster and will push the only U20 experienced hooker in the squad – Dylan Tierney to start. They will have competition from former Ulster underage prop turned Leinster academy hooker John McKee. McKee has been captain for Ireland U18s as a prop showing his leadership, and there is a lot of hope for each of these players.
In the props, Michael Milne would have the biggest pedigree. Milne is comfortable playing both sides but looks like Leinster want him to concentrate on the loosehead side with the likes of Tadhg Furlong, Andrew Porter, and Jack Aungier all 26 or younger and ahead of him. That’s not to say he’s a guaranteed starter though either – Munster’s Josh Wycherley, and Dublin University’s Guiseppe Coyne are both quality options who have experience with Ireland’s underage teams. On the other side, U19 behemoth Thomas Clarkson could be the starter ahead of Connacht tighthead Ryan Lomas or Munster’s Luke Masters.
In the second row, you’d assume that vice-captain and the only other forward with U20 experience Charlie Ryan should start. The Blackrock is knocking hard on the door of the Leinster Academy. Ryan Baird follows in the line of St. Michael’s locks behind Ross Molony, James Ryan, Jack Dunne, and Oisin Dowling. Baird leapfrogged Ryan to get into the Leinster academy, and there was a similar buzz about Baird through the school compared to James Ryan – but it’s hard to see anyone reaching James Ryan’s level at the moment.
The back-row features the year’s most known player – Scott Penny. The openside has starred for Leinster A – scoring eight tries in seven British and Irish Cup games before earning three senior Leinster appearances. Penny isn’t the biggest player you’ll see, but he plays with a physicality that belies his stature and is more than useful at the breakdown. Joining him are two highly-rated Ulster No.8’s Azur Allison, and David McCann who is still U19. Both are big ball carriers and can have good careers if they grab the opportunity that should be there for them at Ulster – but I’ve been excited about Ulster back rowers before to no end. Connacht’s star Niall Murray has been playing 6, while Munster’s John Hodnett could start at 8 either. Hodnett was on the fringe’s of last year’s team as a U19 never got the call up. I haven’t seen a lot of Leinster duo Martin Moloney or Ronan Watters – but that doesn’t mean they aren’t in contention to start. Picking a starting back-row is a tough proposition.
Scrumhalf is very exciting for several reasons. The first is Cormac Foley. He was the best scrumhalf I’ve seen at U18 level since Luke McGrath, and there are some similarities with Foley to McGrath. Used as a centre for St. Gerard’s because of his natural footballing ability – Foley has been a scrumhalf for Leinster/Ireland for the last number of years at the same time. He controls the game like a French 9, can dominate a game with his presence, and is powerful in defensive and carrying despite his stature – much like McGrath. While Foley is exciting in himself, it’s possible/probable that he may not even start. Vice-captain Craig Casey is another highly-rated operator from Munster. The diminutive scrumhalf stands 5’6” tall, but hasn’t let that overcome him so far – when past U20 squads have overlooked smaller scrumhalves. Added to the mix is Connacht’s Colm Reilly and Ireland have three of the strongest scrumhalves at this level for a long time – which is a very needed boost going forward.
The strength in depth of this squad though is at outhalf. Last year’s starter Harry Byrne – Ross’ brother – had impressive moments mixed with some mistakes. He’s a great prospect and should be better for that experience. But Munster’s Ben Healy could be as good as Bill Johnston for this level, whilst Ulster’s Bruce Houston has already featured on the bench for Ulster in the PRO14. Likewise, captain David Hawkshaw has been on the radar for many for a long time – but Byrne’s presence probably means that he’ll move to the centre where he can play like a Henry Slade, Rory Scannell, or Alex Lozowski. Another Munster back – Jake Flannery – is also more than capable at 10 – but looks like he’ll be moved to fullback.
Three of the most heralded and as yet unseen players are all centres in this squad. I mentioned Hawkshaw already, but Ulster’s Stewart Moore is spoken of in hushed tones like only so many are up north, and Munster’s Sean French has X factor for days. The centre plays like a young Keith Earls, Cian Kelleher, or Luke Fitzgerald – supremely gifted and very aware of it. Facing up against the likes of England U20s or France U20s will be a great test for each of these players to hone their decision-making skills that they’ll no doubt need at the pro level. Oli Morris isn’t a player I had heard of so I’ll send it over to Alex Shaw:
How does nine go into three? That’s the task facing the Irish U20 management. Ulster’s Angus Kernohan could be the most well known – he’s had a few games with the senior Ulster team. Munster’s flier James McCarthy shone for the Irish U20s last year – but there is some buzz for Munster trio Conor Phillips on the wing or fullback options Flannery or Jonathan Wren. Then again, both Iwan Hughes and Aaron O’Sullivan came through the Exile system and the IRFU made a big push for both to join provincial academies – and they did; Hughes from Bristol to Ulster, and O’Sullivan from Wasps to Leinster. That leaves Blackrock’s Liam Turner and St. Michael’s Rob Russell – Turner blessed with versatility and stepping ability and Russell has some great speed.
The expectations for this year’s U20s shouldn’t be about winning – both England and France are too good – and five of this squad started in last year’s U19 loss to Japan with five more coming off the bench. No, this year should be all about development. Is there consistent improvement week to week through the Six Nations, and can they get into the 5th-8th placed playoff in the World Cup at least. Success at U20s level is measured by what happens to the players after U20s, and this year may end up pleasantly surprising you by 2023.
U20 Rugby 