Ireland u20 2013/14

[Armchair]

some surprises there.. not a lot of cover at centre.. shame ROL was unable to get back into form in time.. his chances of making the academy are probably done..

Yeah would say so to many injuries, No Brewer either but Ringrose has been very good recently and Kelleher can cover centre as well

[dropkick]

Interesting (after the debate a few months back on this thread) that SOBs height is down as 196cm which is 6'5".

[irishrugbyua]

Would mean he has grown in the last couple of months, as he was 194cm when he joined Connacht.. stranger things have happened..

[simonokeeffe]

our dream of a team of Sean O'Brien advances
although the last thing Connacht need in some regards is another 6'5 lock

[simonno6]

Average weight of the squad is just a shade under 100kg.

Probably in or around the average weight of the full team 20 years ago.

[goreyguy]

Average weight of the squad is just a shade under 100kg.

Probably in or around the average weight of the full team 20 years ago.

Still pretty small compared to other sides..

[simonno6]

Average weight of the squad is just a shade under 100kg.

Probably in or around the average weight of the full team 20 years ago.

Still pretty small compared to other sides..

Undoubtedly, but just goes to show how far the game has come at this level.

[dropkick]

Wales Pack 110kg backs 90kg
England pack 104 backs 88 (not including a prop + 2 backs with no weight listed)
France pack 101 backs 85
Ireland pack 105 backs 90
S. Africa pack 109 backs 92
Australia pack 105 backs 90
Argentina pack 106 backs 84
Scotland pack 106 backs 85
Italy pack 106 backs 88

New Z Samoa Fiji - none or not enough stats


Averages above (rounded up to the nearest Kg) for the packs and backs. I checked out Wales first because I remember them from the 6 nations game. Not surprising to see they're the heaviest pack. South Africa are the other team with a massive pack. They have 2 130kg props. Wales and SA also have 2 of the biggest senior teams in international rugby.
I thought England would have a bigger pack. They might have an average sized pack but their advantage is conditioning. A few years of being in the academies does show.
France have the lightest team. They're like their senior side too in that regard.
Ireland are boosted by John Madigan and Trenier. Both 120kg.


These weight stats only tell part of the story. For example, are they carrying too much fat etc. You'd expect England to be better conditioned than most teams. Also picking big players could be a substitute for a lack of talent.

[ormond lad]

Fair enough calls on squad there like Brewer, Madigan.
Great to see J Madigan fit again for 2nd row.
Dropkick do we really need to go into fat etc...

[dropkick]

Fair enough calls on squad there like Brewer, Madigan.
Great to see J Madigan fit again for 2nd row.
Dropkick do we really need to go into fat etc...

For the rugby nerds, OL

[dropkick]

Wales Pack 110kg backs 90kg
England pack 104 backs 88 (not including a prop + 2 backs with no weight listed)
France pack 101 backs 85
Ireland pack 105 backs 90
S. Africa pack 109 backs 92
Australia pack 105 backs 90
Argentina pack 106 backs 84
Scotland pack 106 backs 85
Italy pack 106 backs 88

New Z Samoa Fiji - none or not enough stats

Samoa pack 111kg backs 93kg (They've a lock called Cameron Skelton at 207cm and 135kg)

[johng]

Wales Pack 110kg backs 90kg
England pack 104 backs 88 (not including a prop + 2 backs with no weight listed)
France pack 101 backs 85
Ireland pack 105 backs 90
S. Africa pack 109 backs 92
Australia pack 105 backs 90
Argentina pack 106 backs 84
Scotland pack 106 backs 85
Italy pack 106 backs 88

New Z Samoa Fiji - none or not enough stats

Samoa pack 111kg backs 93kg (They've a lock called Cameron Skelton at 207cm and 135kg)

Must be the big brother of Will who plays for the Tahs. About the same dimensions about 21. His 13 year old brother could be the biggest of them....

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I honestly still can't get over how big that 13 year old is!

[goreyguy]

still dont understand the need for 5 locks...

Had heard SOB was a doubt with injury

[Armchair]

still dont understand the need for 5 locks...

Had heard SOB was a doubt with injury

Would say we will see SOB as a back row rather than lock

[ormond lad]

still dont understand the need for 5 locks...

Had heard SOB was a doubt with injury

Would say we will see SOB as a back row rather than lock

Yeah with likes of Madigan back SOB2 can go into backrow at 6. SOB was needed in 2nd row in 6Ns as much for bulk, extra power with Madigan and other 2nd row options back.

[goreyguy]

1. Dooley
2. Abbott
3. Burke
4. Madigan
5. Molony
6. SOB
7. Taggart
8. JOD
9. McCarthy
10. Byrne
11. Dardis
12. Robb
13. Goggin
14. Kelleher
15. Busby
16. Donnellan
17. Coulson
18. Trenier
19. Gardiner
20. Timmins
21. Foley
22. McKeon
23. Ringrose

[goreyguy]

John Marian out. Josh Murphy in.

[dropkick]

Big loss to the Irish pack if thats true. Himself and Leavy were 2 of the likely starters.

[goreyguy]

hard to say that really... he could have been a massive player for the pack if he was 100% and played upto potential/reputation..

but he has barely played all season and is unproven at this level..