I think it could have gone the other way with a bit of leadership and composure. With 6 minutes to play I would have kicked the points in front of the posts and gone after them from the restart. when you commit to the driving maul from touch everyone must commit and not burst for glory. that hopefully will come with experience but it is worrying the way they lost their composure when under pressure.

Really enjoying watching Ireland play under Carolan that he's letting them express themselves can only be good for the future. Some real talent there and yes they lost but it easily could have gone the other way with a little luck.

Massive English team, scrums started to turn England's way after the replacements came on. Really Ireland lost it in the first half. Should have had at least one try on the board. England's first try was a bit of a disaster but think wouldn't be too critical of anyone at that level. I think we'll get a good few out of this team if they are brought through correctly.

My first time watching the U20's this year and have to say Ringrose looks like a serious attacking talent. Everytime he got the ball thought something was going to happen. A little bit to work on his defence but I can't remember being this excited about a U20 player for Ireland before. Maybe if and when Robbie decides to head off......?

England just looked like a team of gym freaks, the size of them was unreal.

Thought Ireland were really unlucky, a couple of silly errors cost them and I know it's a bit of a fashionable complaint to have at the moment but the officiating of the offside line was an absolute joke.

connachtexile wrote: A Ireland U20's/development team played Leinster U20's today. Here's the Irish team:

Ireland U 20 started v Leinster:

15. Ciaran Gaffney - Connacht
14. Greg O'Shea - Munster
13. Jacob Stockdale - Ulster
12. Fergal Cleary - Leinster
11. Ross Neal - Exiles
10. Joey Carberry - Leinster
9. Conor Young - Ulster
8. Nick Timoney - Leinster
7. Conor Oliver - Leinster
6. Steven McVeigh - Connacht
5. Jack Dwan - Leinster
4. Cian Romaine - Connacht
3. Conan McDonnell - Connacht
2. Zac McCall - Ulster
1. Michael Lagan - Ulster

Bench
16. Adam McBurley - Ulster
17. Liam O'Connor - Munster
18. Jeremy Loughman - Leinster
19. Alex Thompson - Ulster
20. Ross Todd - Ulster
21. Jack Cullen - Munster
22. Josh Bingham - Ulster
23. Billy Dardis - Leinster

Underage continues to be dominated by Leinster and Ulster. With Munster still struggling!

Craic Head wrote: Cain Romaine is one of the most improved players in the Connacht squad, hope that he is signed up to our academy soon, he is still sub academy and not under any contact as I understand.

I don't think the academy contracts are offered until the start of the summer.

Cain Romaine is one of the most improved players in the Connacht squad, hope that he is signed up to our academy soon, he is still sub academy and not under any contact as I understand.

definitely worth following this years team, the backline is as good as i've seen at this level in a long time, we should have 6 involved from Connacht if you include Sean O'Hagan. as far am I aware Pat O'Toole is injured

the 8 or 9 players from last years team who are returning we'rent involved on Teusday,

A few photos of the game can be found here...

inpho.ie/assignment/Development-Game-Lei...EVAIYVQpuxoPQ7mEg..a

A Ireland U20's/development team played Leinster U20's today. Here's the Irish team:

Ireland U 20 started v Leinster:

15. Ciaran Gaffney - Connacht
14. Greg O'Shea - Munster
13. Jacob Stockdale - Ulster
12. Fergal Cleary - Leinster
11. Ross Neal - Exiles
10. Joey Carberry - Leinster
9. Conor Young - Ulster
8. Nick Timoney - Leinster
7. Conor Oliver - Leinster
6. Steven McVeigh - Connacht
5. Jack Dwan - Leinster
4. Cian Romaine - Connacht
3. Conan McDonnell - Connacht
2. Zac McCall - Ulster
1. Michael Lagan - Ulster

Bench
16. Adam McBurley - Ulster
17. Liam O'Connor - Munster
18. Jeremy Loughman - Leinster
19. Alex Thompson - Ulster
20. Ross Todd - Ulster
21. Jack Cullen - Munster
22. Josh Bingham - Ulster
23. Billy Dardis - Leinster

There was some discussion under the club/school thread.
We were scheduled to play at a nice civilised 8.30 after we beat Fiji but then Wales did us a "favour" and beat France and now we have to get up at 6am on a Sunday (or stay up until 6am on Saturday night, depending on how you approach it).

Can't believe there is no thread on the U20's run in the world cup.

In the semi-final for the first time ever

From TG4 facebook page

Féach BEO: Éire V Sasana: Beo Dé Domhnaigh ag 5:55am

I wonder am I thinking a different Leavy then? As for SOB at 8 he seemed mobile enough last night. WHile he'll never matech the likes of Roger Wilson for mobility he would match our George or Nick Williams at Ulster.

Leavy never plays 8. 6 or 7.
SOB not mobile enough for 8, ideally would be taller.. might be a tweener

Agreed you couldn't say much about the backs as the weather was against them but they were solid in defence and our 10 took his kicks well. SOB is what 6'4? That's to small for a second rower so stick him in the backrow now and let him learn his trade. He could be a fantastic 6 or 8 for us. Leavy at 7 was very good as well he was even more impressive when you realise he usually plays 8 rather than 7. They think very highly of him at Leinster and it's easy to see why.

He got through a mountain of work. I thought he would be fecked by 60 but kept going... fair play! About playing in the BR... pace and acceleration can be trained in. If he is seen as a BR then they should get him playing there as in the SR his legs will develop for endurance rather than power.

Jack OD was impressive but let's keep in mind how dominant our pack was while he was on in the first 50-odd mins. First time I had seen him so not sure how well he does behind a less controlled scrum. He can take an opportunity though and that's something not to be scoffed at.

Hard to say anything about the backs.

SOB had a great game except for what you mentioned above. He is not mobile enough for 8 so 2nd row could be his position. Horrible conditions to play in but they did well. Our 7 and 8 were fantastic !!! 8 reminded me a little of David Wallace.