Ireland U20s 2023

[mildlyinterested]

Ireland won 40-26

[Ruckedtobits]

https://www.irishrugby.ie/2022/12/30/ir ... e-in-cork/

Had to search to find it but a fairly lengthy and detailed report here on the Irish 20's defeat of Munster Development in Cork.

[Ruckedtobits]

Double post

[hugonaut]

Interested for find out more about Ike Anagu, listed as La Rochelle/IQ Rugby. From what I could see on All Rugby and ItsRugby, he has signed for La Rochelle from St Johns College in Johannesburg, SA.

[hugonaut]

It seems like the 20s will have a very strong pack this year. O'Tighearnaigh and McNabney returning from a Grand Slam-winning side, then Ruadhan Quinn, Paddy McCarthy, Evan O'Connell and James Mangan added to the mix.

These guys have all been stand-outs through age-grade rugby, and Quinn has already impressed for Munster at senior level ... not just played, but actually impressed. The back five of the pack has a lot of size – and a lot of power too. Not far off being a pro size back five, in my opinion. Probably just missing a bit of additional bulk in the second row.

O'Tighearnaigh: 201cm/109kg
O'Connell: 201cm/109kg
Mangan: 193cm/106kg
Quinn: 191cm/113kg
McNabney: 193cm/114kg

Average: 196cm/110kg

With England and France at home, they have a kinder draw than their predecessors last season. Hopefully they make a good fist of it.

[Ruckedtobits]

Irish 20's playing Leinster Development / A next weekend (I think the 5th) which should be a good contest and a decent preview of the 20's pre-6N tournament.

[DevinStoner]

Looking through the records, nobody has won two U20 Grand Slams.

Nice carrot for O'Tighearnaigh, Mangan, Mcnabney. O'Tighearnigh started every match last year I believe.

[Morf]

Interested for find out more about Ike Anagu, listed as La Rochelle/IQ Rugby. From what I could see on All Rugby and ItsRugby, he has signed for La Rochelle from St Johns College in Johannesburg, SA.

Does it affect JIFF status if he plays 20s for Ireland?

[dropkick]

It seems like the 20s will have a very strong pack this year. O'Tighearnaigh and McNabney returning from a Grand Slam-winning side, then Ruadhan Quinn, Paddy McCarthy, Evan O'Connell and James Mangan added to the mix.

These guys have all been stand-outs through age-grade rugby, and Quinn has already impressed for Munster at senior level ... not just played, but actually impressed. The back five of the pack has a lot of size – and a lot of power too. Not far off being a pro size back five, in my opinion. Probably just missing a bit of additional bulk in the second row.

O'Tighearnaigh: 201cm/109kg
O'Connell: 201cm/109kg
Mangan: 193cm/106kg
Quinn: 191cm/113kg
McNabney: 193cm/114kg

Average: 196cm/110kg

With England and France at home, they have a kinder draw than their predecessors last season. Hopefully they make a good fist of it.

Win or not, it looks like another exciting crop of talent this year and there are usually a few "unknowns" who surprise us.

[OneLungDavy]

Mangan certainly looks heavier than 106kg. He'd be a big 6 even at senior level, probably lacks a bit of pace though.

[sunshiner1]

by hugonaut

Interested for find out more about Ike Anagu, listed as La Rochelle/IQ Rugby. From what I could see on All Rugby and ItsRugby, he has signed for La Rochelle from St Johns College in Johannesburg, SA.

Was doing the same research. Seems like a decent player and one we should keep an eye on.

[Ruckedtobits]

IT had a piece about him which gives you some interesting background. Unusual career path:

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... ike-anagu/

[mildlyinterested]

Irish 20s so far:

Prop
Paddy McCarthy (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
Fiachna Barrett (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
George Hadden (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
Ronan Foxe (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
George Morris (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)

Hooker
Gus McCarthy (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Matthew Victory (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
Danny Sheahan (UCC RFC/Munster) - u19

Lock
Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Charlie Irvine (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) - u19
Joe Hopes (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster) - u19
James Doyle (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)

Backrow
Diarmuid Mangan (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Ruadhan Quinn (Old Crescent RFC/Munster)
James McNabney (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
George Shaw (Cardiff University RFC/IQ Rugby)
Max Dunne (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
Brian Gleeson (Garryowen RFC/Munster) - u19

Scrumhalf
Jack Oliver (Garryowen FC/Munster)
Oscar Cawley (Naas RFC/Leinster)

Outhalf
Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
Harry West (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
Matthew Lynch (Dublin University FC/Leinster)

Centre
Hugh Cooney (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
John Devine (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
Sam Berman (Dublin University FC/Leinster) - u19

Back Three
Rory Telfer (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
Henry McErlean (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
Ike Anagu (La Rochelle/IQ Rugby)
Noah Sheridan (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
James Nicholson (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Ihechi Oji (UL Bohemians RFC/Munster)

[Morf]

Has Stephen Smyth got another year to play 20s?

[sunshiner1]

by Ruckedtobits

IT had a piece about him which gives you some interesting background. Unusual career path:

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... ike-anagu/

Thanks for that. Hopefully it works out for him. I am sure ROG and Dillane will be helping him at La Rochelle.

[mildlyinterested]

Has Stephen Smyth got another year to play 20s?

Yeah still in school

[Morf]

Has Stephen Smyth got another year to play 20s?

Yeah still in school

Seems a good lad. Hope it continues well for him.

[Ruckedtobits]

Are the Irish U.20's playing a Leinster Development Squad on Friday? Where and what time?

[mildlyinterested]

Are the Irish U.20's playing a Leinster Development Squad on Friday? Where and what time?

wont be announced until tomorrow.

[mildlyinterested]

Ireland U20s (v Leinster Development):
15. Henry McErlean (Terenure/Leinster)
14. James Nicholson (UCD/Leinster)
13. Hugh Cooney (Clontarf/Leinster)
12. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians/Connacht)
11. Ike Anagu (La Rochelle/IQ Rugby)
10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)
9. Jack Oliver (Garryowen/Munster)

1. George Hadden (Clontarf/Leinster)
2. Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster)
3. Paddy McCarthy (DUFC/Leinster)
4. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD/Leinster)
5. Diarmuid Mangan (UCD/Leinster)
6. James McNabney (Ballymena/Ulster)
7. Ruadhan Quinn (Old Crescent/Munster)
8. Brian Gleeson (Garryowen/Munster)

Replacements:

16. Danny Sheehan (UCC/Munster)
17. Jack Boal (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
18. Fiachna Barrett (Corinthians/Connacht)
19. Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemians/Munster)
20. Jacob Sheehan (UCC/Munster)
21. Fintan Gunne (Terenure/Leinster)
22. Harry West (Buccaneers/Connacht)
23. Rory Telfer (Queen’s University/Ulster)
24. Joe Hopes (Queen’s University/Ulster)
25. John Devine (Corinthians/Connacht)
26. Josh Costello (Shannon/Munster).