Any word on the Academy?

[Nightsoil]

I am with you actually, just that is my worry about him. I feel like if he wants it enough it will happen, some of the others feel a bit more marginal to say the least.

edit: Based on the completely spurious logic of the utterly desperate, I'm wondering if there's anything to Marcus Rea; fast enough to have played centre as a school boy, big enough to have got selected as a lock in Ulster U18s. Maybe there's a back row in that... gods knows we need them from somewhere.

[Bayern]

Timoneys problem wasn't attitude, if anything his attitude/work ethic is very good. it's size and lack of power/athleticism to play 8. and his breakdown work is very raw for 7. He could end up being a good 7 but compared to the backrows taken into the leinster academy he lacks an outstanding skill/attribute.

[Bayern]

ulster schools lost to Munster as did ulster clubs.

[jamsodonnell]

Yesterday,finished the 4 Interpro series for Ulster Rep teams. I think we are 1/11 wins. U20's lost all 3, U18 Schools lost both (Connacht didnt play ), U18 Clubs lost 3 and U19's won 1/3.
This happened a few years ago too and there was consternation then. And now ???

[Dan Dare]

The 20's worries me. I saw the Munster game and we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, then Munster go on and win it and we we go backwards. The management need to take a look at themselves.

[Bayern]

Prop
Craig Trenier - started at 3 for Ballynahinch, 1 try.
Michael Lagan - inactive(Ballymena)
Ross Kane - started at 3 for Ballymena
Jake Byrne - unable to find information(Queens)
Peter Cooper - inactive(Belfast Harlequins)

Lock
John Donnan - inactive(Ballynahinch)
Alex Thompson - started for Queens

Backrow
Lorcan Dow - sub for Ballynahinch
Nick Timoney - started for Queens

Scrumhalf
David Shanahan - inactive(Ballymena)
Connor Young - started at 9 for Belfast Harlequins
Liam Free - inactive(Belfast Harlequins)

Outhalf
Andy Mcgrath - inactive(Ballymena)
Jonny McPhillips - unable to find information(Queens)

Centre
Jacob Stockdale - unable to find information(Queens)

Back Three
David Busby - started at 14 for Ballynahinch, 1 try.
Jack Owens - injured
Rob Lyttle - started for Queens, 1 try.

[therealspratt]

Prop
Craig Trenier - started at 3 for Ballynahinch, 1 try.
Michael Lagan - inactive(Ballymena)
Ross Kane - started at 3 for Ballymena
Jake Byrne - unable to find information(Queens)
Peter Cooper - inactive(Belfast Harlequins)

Lock
John Donnan - inactive(Ballynahinch)
Alex Thompson - started for Queens

Backrow
Lorcan Dow - sub for Ballynahinch
Nick Timoney - started for Queens

Scrumhalf
David Shanahan - inactive(Ballymena)
Connor Young - started at 9 for Belfast Harlequins
Liam Free - inactive(Belfast Harlequins)

Outhalf
Andy Mcgrath - inactive(Ballymena)
Jonny McPhillips - unable to find information(Queens)

Centre
Jacob Stockdale - unable to find information(Queens)

Back Three
David Busby - started at 14 for Ballynahinch, 1 try.
Jack Owens - injured
Rob Lyttle - unable to find information(Queens)

Queens Facebook tells me Lyttle bagged himself a try on his debut for their firsts, by the way I can see what NS was saying about Timoney lacking for size, looks smaller than Atkinson in the photos.

[scrum5]

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/14196.php#.VjJSrTZOdlY

If one was sceptical they could say what is the academy and the scouts doing......but I won't, it doesn't surprise me we are going all X Factor

[Dan Dare]

Sounds to me like, come along.......... if you are a big fat lump.

At least they are trying something different, in all fairness. I would not have a go at them for that, when you win one out of 12 age grade games, you have to reach for the proverbial straw (or big haystacks)

[scrum5]

Smacks of desperation and is an indictment on UR's inability to scout talent, maybe they could talk to some underage coaches outside of Methody...anyway sure it's a brilll idea and so forward thinking

[Snipe Watson]

At least they re trying something.

[scrum5]

Maybe it's not a lack of talent but those being paid to discover and nurture that talent....who are the panel of experts for this anyway.

[Rooster]

It's really just an extension of what McGlocks was doing looking at non traditional schools and clubs for players, while the underage sides took a beating if you look deeper at the makeup of them you will find things like players eligible for U16 in the U18 squad etc. That is all experience for them and should show through in a couple of years.
This latest is just a way of finding the next batch of possibles who don't attend grammar schools or perhaps even club rugby at present.

[BuckRogers]

Given that, in the last 3/4 years McCloskey and Gilroy were both initially overlooked by our so-called experts I really struggle to have any confidence that our 'pathway' coaches have any real competence.

I'm open to being charged with being wise after the event but Gilroy was brad pitt of a shovel quick coming out of school, far more so than Michael Allen, but Smiler Malone said No. McCloskey was huge, similar to Farrell, yet initial ignored.

What are the parameters/metrics the Academy use against a player to judge whether they're made of the right stuff or not?

[ChuckleBrothers]

Given that, in the last 3/4 years McCloskey and Gilroy were both initially overlooked by our so-called experts I really struggle to have any confidence that our 'pathway' coaches have any real competence.

I'm open to being charged with being wise after the event but Gilroy was brad pitt of a shovel quick coming out of school, far more so than Michael Allen, but Smiler Malone said No. McCloskey was huge, similar to Farrell, yet initial ignored.

What are the parameters/metrics the Academy use against a player to judge whether they're made of the right stuff or not?

I can only talk sub-academy, but I can tell you there is a serious amount of detail involved in player id and those on the HP programme...