Stuart McCloskey v Tommaso Menonchero – Irish Times

stuart mccloskey

club: ulster

position: center

Year: 31

height: 6’4”

weight: 112kg (17st 7lb)

Ireland cap: 15

point: 20

Why is he so important? Injuries are common in professional sports, and in order for a team to continue to grow, it is important for players to be able to step up depending on the situation. The Ulster center played 57 minutes in the World Cup match against Scotland and played his role admirably. This is another opportunity. He has gradually improved his game, particularly his passing, but his challenge is to continue to do what he does well and get better in other areas. He hopes to get a chance to play to his strengths. Leaving him and running on the trail line always brings material benefits to his teammates.

trivia: As a teenager, he excelled at golf and played as a three-handicap, but rugby didn’t feature on his sporting radar until he attended Bangor Grammar School and hit his stride. He recalls: he played 9 times [scrumhalf] First year of senior rugby [cycle] and i played 10 [outhalf] During my last two years of senior rugby, I worked hard to become a center. ” He is a big fan of the NBA and the Lakers.

Tommaso Menoncello

club: Benetton Treviso

position: center

Year:twenty one

height: 6 feet 2 inches

weight: 101kg (15st 12lb)

italian cap:13

point:twenty five

Why is he so important? Quite contrary to what is obvious to the naked eye about his talent, in the 2023 Six Nations he managed gain-line success and a commanding carry rate of over 50, making him one of only five players to play at least 240 minutes. He was just one of the players. percent. Others included his teammate Juan Ignacio Brex, midfield partners Huw Jones (Scotland), Yoram Moefana (France) and George North (Wales). He has all the qualities to be a player of this generation in Italy.

trivia: Menoncello became the youngest try-scorer in Six Nations history when he scored on his debut against France in 2022. The young Treviso center was 19 years and 170 days old at the time, surpassing the record previously held by Scottish full-back Stuart Hogg. (19 years 251 days). The list also included several other teenagers: Welsh winger George North (19 years, 302 days) and French center Gaël Fickou (19 years, 317 days). The Five Nations record was set by Wales full-back Keith Jarrett, who was 18 years old when he scored his first try at Test level.