Ireland Under-20s are not facing the weight of expectations despite back-to-back Grand Slam wins, says Richie Murphy – Irish Times

The headline for the Ireland U-20 squad announcement is that Evan O’Connell, one of the five returning players from last year’s Six Nations Grand Slam winners who reached the World Championship final, will be captain of the 31-man squad. That’s what it means. Ian Keightley replaces Mark Sexton as backs coach, and with Sam Berman (hamstring) out with injury, there are six players playing a year younger in this age group.

O’Connell, the son of former UL Bohemian Justin and nephew of Ireland forwards coach Paul, highlights some famous family connections. Out-half Jack Murphy is the son of head coach Ritchie. Scrumhalf Will Wootton is the younger brother of former Munster winger Alex. Jacob Boyd is the son of former Ulster prop Clem. Burn Ward is the son of former Ireland flanker Andy and younger brother of Sevens player Zak, while UCC’s Sean Edogbo is the younger brother of Munster second-rower Edwin.

[ Evan O’Connell to captain Ireland Under-20 squad laden with pedigree ]

Standout number eight Brian Gleeson and full-back Ben O’Connor have played eight and four games respectively for Munster’s senior team this season, while Queen’s University student Joe Hopes will make his senior debut for Ulster in November fulfilled. Hooker Danny Sheehan, nephew of former Ireland international Frankie, is also a returnee.

Richie Murphy, who led Ireland to back-to-back Grand Slam and World Junior Championship finals, is generally optimistic about this year’s group. “It’s funny, but I think the real strength is how they come together as a team.

“They’re a very smart rugby team. They know how to move the ball with their hands and find space. If you give them information they usually use it very well. I There’s nothing that really stands out that’s different from what we’ve seen so far, but the strength of the group as a whole is where we can be at our best.”

He is adamant that back-to-back Grand Slams will not cast a long shadow when it comes to expectations for this season. “Even last year, I answered this question the same way: almost a completely new team, so they have no connection.

“One of the first questions I asked the group when we got together was: How many of them have ever won a Grand Slam? Very few people raised their hands. [five in a room of 50 players]. In other words, we haven’t won anything as a team.

“It’s about the boring old stuff of trying to get past France and playing on the days you’re in. If you can get past France, you’ll move on to Italy and hope there’s no games at the end. That’s it. , is the only way I know to keep players focused and motivated to improve. Being a performance-based team, not results.”

COVID-19 has interrupted the group’s development to some extent and there are some legacy effects, but there is a culture of no excuses. The U-20 manager, local coaches and players are coming together to try to resolve these issues.

Mr Murphy explained: “Looking at the players that have developed, we have seen some skill deficiencies while they have missed the opportunity to play rugby. We have adapted our training programs to ensure they are addressed.

“The great thing about the 20s program is that the message we are trying to pass on to our players comes back to the region through our regional hubs. There is collective agreement about what we need to do.”

An important performance pathway for those in their 20s is playing club rugby. “One of the things we said at the beginning of this year was that we wanted all our players to play in the AIL. This is very different from what we were playing in our 20s. But the ability to go to games week in and week out and play against older men in physical encounters was very important.

“All the players will comment on the physicality of the AIL and we also want to play with speed. It’s probably the balance part. They’re gaining physicality when they’re in the AIL. We want to get them up to speed and we want to get to the Six Nations with a combination of both.”

There has been one change to the coaching team since last year’s Six Nations campaign, with Keightley replacing Sexton, who is currently senior coach at Connacht, as backs coach. “Ian Keightley joins this group with a wealth of experience having represented Ireland, Munster, Connacht and Leinster.

“He was a really great addition, he had great chemistry with the players, he was great in one-on-one conversations with the backs, and he gave his all.”

Ireland representative

Bucks (14) – Oliver Coffey (Blackrock College), Tadhg Brophy (Nurs), Will Wootton (Sale Sharks), Jake O’Riordan (UL Bohemians), Jack Murphy (Clontarf), Sean Norton (Galway Corinthians) , Hugo McLaughlin (Lansdowne), Ethan Graham (Ballynahinch), Hugh Gavin (Galwegian), Rory Ellerbee (QUB), Wilhelm de Klerk (UCD), Finn Tracey (Galwegian), Stephen Keeley ( Shannon), Ben O’Connor (UCC).

Forward (17) – Alex Ushanov (Clontarf), Ben Howard (Terrenure College), Danny Sheehan (Cork Constitution), Henry Walker (QUB), Stephen Smith (Old Wesley), Patrice Bell (Sale) Sharks), Jacob Boyd (QUB), Andrew Sparrow (UCD) ), Joe Hopes (QUB), Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley), Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemians, Captain), Alan Spicer (UCD) , Bryn Ward (Ballynahinch), Shaun Edogbo (UCC), Josh Stevens (QUB), Brian Gleeson (Garyowen), Luke Murphy (Shannon).

Under 20 matches

Saturday, February 3rd: France v Ireland, Stade Maurice David (8.10pm Irish time).

Friday, February 9th: Ireland v Italy, Musgrave Park (7.15)

Friday, February 23rd: Ireland v Wales, Musgrave Park (7.15)

Friday, March 8th: england v ireland, Recreation ground (7.15)

Friday, March 15th: Ireland v Scotland, Musgrave Park (7.0).

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