Monday, September 24, 2012

Team of the the future.


Even do the season is only four games old many supporters have been enthralled by their provinces younger players who are excelling at the start of the season. As many of the first team players are unavailable for the start of the season it has given many youngsters an excellent chance at making their name, which many have taken with both arms which can be only good for Declan Kidneys Ireland team.

Here is a team of players under the age of twenty five who have appeared in the RaboProDirect this season but have not been capped by the senior national team who are going to push hard for a place in the squad in the coming seasons.

15) Andrew Conway Leinster

The young Blackrock man probably faces the most daunting challenge in Irish rugby trying to wrestle the Leinster and Irish number fifteen shirt off Rob Kearney. Explosive pace and the feat of the dancer, Conway has all the attributes to make it to the very top of the game. He has been in and around the Leinster squad sense 2010 without making a huge impact mainly due to lack of game time but this season he has already made the same amount of starts as last season. Confidence will only grow from regular first team action and with that bucket loads of tries will follow.

14) Craig Gilroy Ulster

The Ulster speedster is probably the unlucky not to have gotten a full cap already but the 2012/13 season is huge for Gilroy with the return of Tommy Bowe, being an automatic starter for Ulster may not be as easy as foreseen  last season. His try against Munster in last years Heineken Cup highlights the majority of his skills. A strong runner, nifty feet and incredibly quick off the mark he will push Bowe hard for a place in the team.

13) Brendan Macken Leinster

Another gifted Leinster back with incredible ability. He is battling with Fergus McFadden and Eoin O Malley to be the number one back up to Brian O Driscoll and Gordan Darcy. To say Leinster have depth in the centre position would be an understatement. Macken unlike many of the Irish backs well over six foot and with recent trends in rugby showing the bigger, more powerful player are becoming essential at international level Macken could be a key member of the Irish squad.

12) Luke Marshall Ulster

Marshall  has really grown into a twelve.His creativity and strength are two of the main features of his game, while he is a solid defender and has a decent kicking game when required. He is something very rare in Irish rugby a play making centre who could really get a back line firing on some go forward ball.

11) Luke O Dea Munster

Munster who have traditionally not produced outside backs with gas but they have defiantly found one in o Dea. His strike rate at senior level is incredible for rookie, five tries in his first eleven games. He has so far made his name at eleven but his preferred position is fullback. Will defiantly be a major player in Rob Pennys revolution at Munster and senior caps will follow.

10) Paddy Jackson Ulster

Jacksons incredible rise from Ireland an Ireland under twenty to starting out half in a Heineken Cup final was astonishing last season.  After an extremely difficult final against Leinster many questioned how it would effect Jackson in the long term. So far this season he has been very solid and his goal kicking has come on leaps and bounds evidenced by his performance against Munster in the Rabo. He has no doubt got the mentality to  learn from last season and became a full international.

9) John Conney Leinster


Another young scrum half in the Eoin Reddan mould. Slick passing and quality link up make Conney difficult for opposition defences. He is especially quick at the base of rucks and scrums which makes him an very good impact sub. Cooney who is currently third choice at Leinster is going to push Boss hard for his place on the bench this season.

8) Paddy Butler Munster

A young number eight from Shannon. No pressure. Butler has so far dealt well with expectations and is beginning to become a regular in the Munster twenty two. The back row is probably the most depth Ireland have in any position but Butler is benefiting from the retirements of Leamy and Wallace in the last year. He is a naturally gifted athlete and a powerful runner. Expect big things from this man in the near future.

7) Jordi Murphy Leinster

The Spanish born flanker is a very interesting prospect. Good on the ground and with the seven shirt on his back no doubt the general public will follow his progress intently as the fascination with that position grows. He has made just nine appearances for Leinster but more chances should follow this season as he looks to break into Leinsters match day twenty two on a regular basis.

6) Dave O Callaghan Munster

O Callaghan first came on the radar as a substitute against Northampton Saints in the Heineken Cup and then start against Leinster in the Rabo. He done well without setting the world on fire and it was thought he needed to bulk up and a little more experience before he could compete for a regular start. O Callaghan has done both this season and it will be some player to wrestle the six shirt back off him. Deservedly included in  Irelands November training squad.

5) Tom Denton Leinster

Probably one of the lesser known Joe Schmidt signings but one of the most astute. Second row is one of the few areas where Leinster are not producing many players. Irish qualified due to his mother Denton is already the veteran of  sixty games for Leeds. Neil Back rated him as a future international class second row, something Leinster could do with. With Brad Thorn leaving the 2012/13 season is going to be huge for Denton.

4) Dave Foley Munster

Foley is a real giant of a man with underrated handling skills but has struggled with injuries in the past two seasons. With O Connell, O Callaghan, Ryan and Nagle ahead of him in the pecking order it is hard to see him making the Munster team in the near future without injuries. Could benefit from a stint in the west coast or in England.

3) Stephen Archer Munster

Archer is going to be a major asset to the Irish nation team in the near future. Archer is improving all the time in scrum and is good in the loose. Has established himself as Munsters second choice tight head as he serves his apprenticeship under Bj Botha one of the best scrummagers in the world. His importance to Munster and Ireland can not be understated.

2) Mike Sherry Munster

Sherry like many other young Munster men has benefited from injuries and retirements. He is accurate with his darts, strong in the scrum and a good ball carrier. One thing that sets him apart is his ball handling ability which is quite incredible for a hooker. Will battle Sean Cronin for a place on the Irish bench this year.

1) David Kilcoyne Munster

The "Killer" Kilcoyne is really stepping it up this year. He signed a new contract full time contract over the summer and isn't looking back.  He held his own against John Afoa, one of the best tightheads in the world. He will only get stronger and stronger as he plays more games. I defiantly would not be surprised if he is scene in a green shirt before the season is out.

So there it is my Ireland under twenty five team. One thing is for sure these fifteen players if probably never all start the one international together but many of them will dawn the green shirt in the coming years. I for one can't wait to see them progress.

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