The UAFC

Walker looked impressive too. Hopes was sound.

Thought Hopes was very good, but needs to bulk up. Understandably lanky and very lean. Ward and Egdogbo paired well. Ward looks a good bet with familial pedigree. Strong carrier and tackler. Walker decent but in a weak FR, Bell was a bit out if his depth. Grandparents from Down, but born in IOM.

No wonder Scotland U20s are rubbish.

They have a Lock playing at scrum half.

Scotland weak as p#ss. For Ireland, will come down to England power game then, as usual. FR will be a concern. Need to keep penalties down and keep the ball alive, without getting into a war of attrition.

CIMANFOREVER wrote:Thought Hopes was very good, but needs to bulk up. Understandably lanky and very lean. Ward and Egdogbo paired well. Ward looks a good bet with familial pedigree. Strong carrier and tackler. Walker decent but in a weak FR, Bell was a bit out if his depth. Grandparents from Down, but born in IOM.

Bryn's son?

CIMANFOREVER wrote: ↑Sat Feb 24, 2024 10:48 am Scotland weak as p#ss. For Ireland, will come down to England power game then, as usual. FR will be a concern. Need to keep penalties down and keep the ball alive, without getting into a war of attrition.

Meant to be a good English side with a particularly strong front row. Be interesting to see how we go. Thought Ward had a great game last night. That year has 2 good 7s from ulster - Josh Stevens could easily slot into that side and not look out of place.

CIMANFOREVER wrote: ↑Sat Feb 24, 2024 7:20 am Thought Hopes was very good, but needs to bulk up. Understandably lanky and very lean. Ward and Egdogbo paired well. Ward looks a good bet with familial pedigree. Strong carrier and tackler. Walker decent but in a weak FR, Bell was a bit out if his depth. Grandparents from Down, but born in IOM.

What are the international rugby eligibility rules for anybody from the IOM (or other Crown dependencies)? Do they have the choice of the home nations, and does that include Ireland for those without familial connections?

big mervyn wrote: ↑Sat Feb 24, 2024 12:58 pm

CIMANFOREVER wrote: ↑Sat Feb 24, 2024 7:20 am Thought Hopes was very good, but needs to bulk up. Understandably lanky and very lean. Ward and Egdogbo paired well. Ward looks a good bet with familial pedigree. Strong carrier and tackler. Walker decent but in a weak FR, Bell was a bit out if his depth. Grandparents from Down, but born in IOM.

What are the international rugby eligibility rules for anybody from the IOM (or other Crown dependencies)? Do they have the choice of the home nations, and does that include Ireland for those without familial connections?

It does for the C.i. so I assume IOM and Scillies the same

Ward was a ball carrier at Inst but sometimes outran his support at school level that is not the worst crime in the book but in the professional game its a potential penalty every time. If you become unaware of your support a tackler in front of you there is normally lots of space behind him--- kick it towards the posts or corner and play chase the defender has to turn and has to go down and pick up the ball -- and he is the player looking for support. not you.

Faced by a number of tacklers -turn-brace and try to stay on your feet hold the ball like its your family jewels. the opposition get a scrum not a penalty if you can stay on your feet.

Dave wrote: ↑Sat Feb 24, 2024 11:48 am

CIMANFOREVER wrote:Thought Hopes was very good, but needs to bulk up. Understandably lanky and very lean. Ward and Egdogbo paired well. Ward looks a good bet with familial pedigree. Strong carrier and tackler. Walker decent but in a weak FR, Bell was a bit out if his depth. Grandparents from Down, but born in IOM.

Bryn's son?

Andys

I think Ward looks absolutely class, a MOTM contender against Wales for me. Not that big, but cracking ball carrier, he literally hasn’t gone backwards once all tournament, also made a smashing line break and showed great pace. Got a great physique to be a poach threat, maybe lacks a bit of instinct there so far - but that’s a coachable skill.

IRELAND U20S V ENGLAND 20S (BATH, FRIDAY 7:15PM KO, RTE2 & BBC IPLAYER & WEBSITE)

15. Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster)
14. Finn Treacy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
13. Wilhelm de Klerk (UCD RFC/Leinster)
12. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
11. Hugo McLaughlin (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
10. Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
9. Oliver Coffey (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
1. Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
2. Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
3. Jacob Boyd (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
4. Alan Spicer (UCD RFC/Leinster)
5. Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(captain)
6. Joe Hopes (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
7. Bryn Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
8. Luke Murphy (Shannon RFC/Munster)

Replacements:
16. Henry Walker (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
17. Ben Howard (Terenure College RFC/Leinster)
18. Patreece Bell (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby)
19. Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
20. Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster)
21. Tadhg Brophy (Naas RFC/Leinster)
22. Sean Naughton (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
23. Davy Colbert (Dublin University FC/Leinster).

big mervyn wrote: ↑Sat Feb 24, 2024 12:58 pm
What are the international rugby eligibility rules for anybody from the IOM (or other Crown dependencies)? Do they have the choice of the home nations, and does that include Ireland for those without familial connections?

They can play for any of the home nations.

In term of the team, unfortunate that Gleeson isnt available for whatever reason, but otherwise a decent looking team.

Gleeson’s ankle has not responded to rehab and needs an operation