The UAFC

Half time England 7 Ireland 29. Try bonus point. Hyde and McElroy on score sheet. Some great carrying from McCann.

Under 20s game is excellent. 7-29 at half time (bonus point in the bag)

Ireland really looking the part and the Ulster lads are looking good.

21-39 final score. McCann man of the match.

Ireland were very good and I see Wales 20s beat France the current 20s RWC champs in pretty filthy conditions in North Wales.

Basically a game of two big packs running at each other with odd run being given to the backs with miss match happening ie back facing forward who was given the run-a round. The English pack was big but it could not match the stamina of the Irish Pack ie yards were being made of the third and fourth carry. The Irish second row and No 8 will be professionals because they are with Provinces who need them Munster and Leinster are both in need of a home grown second row and Ulster have need of a back row 8 . Some others might make it by way of injury retirements eg Ulster at centre have Hume and Moore in the squad to day both under 23. Stockdale and Balacoume are both under 25 with lowry filling utility under 25 as well.

You were watching a different match to me. Lots of players with great potential.

Maybe true but every year the U20s have players with great potential -- every year only 3-or 4 retire from the professional squads . the players who make it are those where the squad depth is thin or the retirements are looming.

look at Ulsters backline last night most were under 25 -- leinster is something similar .

Potential is fine opportunity is scarce.

As you say 3 or 4 retire from a squad. Four Provinces x four retirees suggest 15 or 16 places freed up.
In any event most of the players are already in academies.

There are other factors which take their toll such as many of the players in the under 20s are at University or 3rd level education and forwards take time to mature fully and by the time many do other career opportunities are opening up for them . About 50% or maybe more of those in the Academies drop out. Professional sport is a very demanding occupation with many pitfalls ( injuries --which sap the desire to continue as the realisation that an international future may not exist )

But Internationals at u19 and U20 provide the opportunity for these guys to net-work at a young age .