Leinster U24 backline evaluation.

[mildlyinterested]

Evaluating the "young" backs(U24) in leinster setup:

Scrumhalf
Rowan Osborne(U24) - 5'6, 75kg
Hugh O'Sullivan(U22) - 5'10, 81kg
Paddy Patterson(U22) - 5'8, 75kg

None of the three look like future 1st choice players for Leinster. O'Sullivan probably has the highest potential but needs serious game time to develop. Osborne earned a contract during preseason and has looked a capable player at pro 14 level, obviously with some size concerns. Patterson remains in the academy but looks like he could struggle for game time at leinster.

Outhalf
Ciaran Frawley(U23) - 6'3, 90kg
Harry Byrne(U21) - 6'2, 90kg
David Hawkshaw(U21) - 5'10, 85kg

HB looks pegged to be a future star, his ireland squad involvement so early pointing to that. Frawley an option at 10, may either move province or move position if he does indeed lose out to Byrne. Hawkshaw hasn't played since March 2019, what position he focuses on when he returns will be interesting.

Centre
Conor O'Brien(U24)- 6'3, 103kg
Jimmy O'Brien(U24) - 6'0, 90kg
Ciaran Frawley(U23) - 6'3, 90kg
Gavin Mullin(U23) - 6'0, 90kg
Tommy O'Brien(U22) - 6'0, 91kg
Liam Turner(U21) - 5'8, 89kg
David Hawkshaw(U21) - 5'10, 85kg

COB showed a lot of ability last season but has struggled to make the same impression this season, next season will be huge for his leinster career, only U24 outside back with serious size in squad at the moment. JOB has impressed this season at 13 and 15, would question if he has the required size to be a european level player in the centre. Frawley is an option at 12, will he move there? Has the height but is lightweight for a modern 12. Mullin has been a standout in a dominant Leinster A side, has been a 13 only for most of his career, he is however small for a modern centre. TOB made his leinster debut this season and can play all across the backline from 10 out, he is highly rated and needs to identify a position and focus on it. Does he have the size for centre in europe? Turner has been focusing on 7's this season, could play on the wing when he returns another shorter outside centre for modern rugby. Finally Hawkshaw as mentioned above could play 10 or 12 on his return from injury.

Back Three
Hugo Keenan(U24) - 6'1, 91kg
Jimmy O'Brien(U24) - 6'0, 90kg
Jordan Larmour(U23) - 5'10, 86kg
Ciaran Frawley(U23) - 6'3, 90kg
Tommy O'Brien(U22) - 6'0, 91kg
Michael Silvester(U22) - 6'0, 85kg
Liam Turner(U21) - 5'8, 89kg
Aaron O'Sullivan(U21) - 6'2, 91kg
Andrew Smith(U20) - 6'0, 86kg

Keenan has played 15 this season and looks like he could be a good squad player for leinster at the very least with the ability to cover on the wing too. JOB as mentioned above has played some 15 this season and impressed. Larmour is another convert from the wing to fullback, concerns about some of his fullback play remain but obviously a very good rugby player. Frawley as mentioned above is an option at fullback, if he plays there much in the future remains a question. TOB has experience on the wing, but needs to focus on a position if he is to reach his international potential. Silvester was focusing on 7's earlier in the season, then returned to play AIL before injury struck, has featured at 15 primarily but looks to be under pressure when it comes to getting a senior contract.Turner as mentioned above could play the wing when he returns from 7's. O'Sullivan has focused on 7's this season, brings rare size for an irish winger in the leinster system but has work to do to when he returns from 7's duty, Smith was a standout winger in an impressive irish u20's side, he was rumoured to have joined the academy earlier in the season.

Overall there is quite a lot of young talent in leinster setup, although you'd have to say scrumhalf is a weakness in terms of top end talent, that along with not having any physical freaks pushing through in the outside backs, who look like future 30+ cap internationals. Thoughts?

[CiaranIrl]

Just to say: Thanks for these posts sir. I love to read them. Thought it worth saying, in case you think the lack of replies equates to a lack of interest!

[neiliog93]

9.Osborne 10.Frawley 12.COB 13.JOB 14.TOB

11.Larmour 15.Keenan

21.H.O'Sullivan 22.H.Byrne 23.Mullin

Fair selection as things stand?...

[mildlyinterested]

Byrne at 10 for me.. could go with this either:

9. Osborne
10. Byrne
11. TOB
12. Frawley
13. COB
14. Larmour
15. JOB

[mildlyinterested]

Just to say: Thanks for these posts sir. I love to read them. Thought it worth saying, in case you think the lack of replies equates to a lack of interest!

thanks.

[hugonaut]

Just to say: Thanks for these posts sir. I love to read them. Thought it worth saying, in case you think the lack of replies equates to a lack of interest!

Amen. Really clear summation. Very good point about our lack of size outside Conor O'Brien. Rewatching the 2001 Celtic Cup final reminded me again of what a great player Shane Horgan was for us for so many years - he averaged more than 5 tries/season over 13 seasons!

[joooooe]

I know a couple of lads who might disagree on your assessment of what is required for success as a modern centre

JOB...would question if he has the required size to be a european level player in the centre.

Frawley...Has the height but is lightweight for a modern 12.

Mullin ...is however small for a modern centre.

TOB...Does he have the size for centre in europe?

Turner...another shorter outside centre for modern rugby.

[mildlyinterested]

Ah yes two legendary players who are both retired over 5 years and came through the system over 20 years ago.

Effective 6ft, 90kg centres are a rare breed in the modern game, especially at the highest level. Let alone lads who are 5'10 and below.
You have to be a special talent to make it at that size in a top level modern game and as good as some of those players are, not sure any have indicated they are special talents.

Not writing anyone off because of their size but it is a factor to be aware of when looking at a players possible future.

[mildlyinterested]

Some bigger centres coming through system:

Marcus Kiely(U19/Newbridge)

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Simon O'Kelly(U19/St. Michaels)

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Karl Martin(U18/Boyne)

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Fionn Gibbons(U18/Castleknock)

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Ben Brownlee(U18/Blackrock)

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[wixfjord]

It has been a bit of a disappointing year for COB imo.
Looked like it could've been a sophomore season for him, but started badly and Tomane got a bit of a jump.

He had some really good performances, particularly Glasgow away, but overall didn't kick on.

I think he has huge potential and despite Tomane currently being a better option, his development/potential might be a good reason to let Joe go.

[neiliog93]

Size isn't an absolute necessity for a centre but it's always a bonus. I wouldn't really count Liam Turner as a small centre despite his lack of height as he's so stocky - almost like a (smaller) Laumape in physique, power and stepping ability.

One small centre is fine if they have all the skills, even at international level, but both being 'small' (i.e. under 6'0" and, say, 95kg) starts to be a problem IMO. They soak too many gainlines in defence and it's considerably more difficult for them to get over the gainline in attack.

[Degz]

I like the idea of Frawley at 15. To me, Larmour is is not much of a distributor, and would definitely like to see a second playmaker wider. He also strikes me as quite a big unit, so am surprised to see him listed at 'only' 90kg.

[mildlyinterested]

Frawley certainly looks heavier than 90kg, imagine it's not accurate.