DESPITE COMING into the game off the back of a 16-point defeat on home soil, Ireland U20s assistant coach Ian Keatley believes it was important to resist the temptation to make wholesale changes for tomorrow’s second round meeting with Scotland in the Six Nations Championship.
From the side that lost out 19-3 to defending champions England in Cork’s Virgin Media Park last Thursday week, the Irish coaching team have made just three alterations for a Saturday night showdown against the Scots at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh (kick-off 7.45pm).
Two of these changes are enforced with Derry Moloney and Alex Usanov both ruled out this weekend through injury — the latter is set to miss out on the remainder of the tournament after being withdrawn in the opening quarter of the English game.
The addition of Gene O’Leary Kareem to the Irish midfield was more of a tactical decision than the inclusion of Daniel Green and Billy Bohan for the above-mentioned duo, but Keatley stressed the rest of the side that featured against England deserve a second chance to impress.
“Of course, we want to win, but you have to remember they’re U20. Most of them are 19, they’re just developing. It [the England game] is probably the first time they played in an arena like that with 9,000. It’s probably the first time they came against a line speed such as England and a lot of those English players play in the Premiership,” Keatley said in a video call to the Irish media yesterday.
“This is their first time and a lot of us, the whole team and even the coaching staff, we made mistakes on the day. You have to give them another chance to help them learn and try and rectify what they did.
“I think if we made drastic changes, it would be the wrong thing for us as a team and the cohesion. To give them that confidence that we trust them, to go out again and try and correct the wrongs from last week. I think it’s very important for them to develop not just for this Six Nations, but their whole career.”
Whereas Ireland saw a run of 15 games without defeat in the U20s Six Nations coming to an end on the Leeside eight days ago — stretching back to the opening round of the 2022 Championship — last Friday’s 22-10 loss to Italy in Hive Stadium was Scotland’s ninth successive reversal in the tournament.
Additionally, the Scots have recorded just one win from their last 21 games in the U20s Six Nations and have picked up the wooden spoon in three of the past four Championships at this age grade.
Yet despite recent history being against them, Keatley is anticipating a difficult battle in the Scottish capital tomorrow night.
“We have a tough challenge against Scotland. They’re actually a very good team. They like to move the ball around. They’re actually quite clever tactically. Their 12 [Kerr Yule], he’s a very good player. A very strong carrier. Very good pack, very good scrum. We’re under no illusion, Scotland are going to be very good this week.”
Having initially come on board for last year’s Championship when current Ulster supremo Richie Murphy was still at the helm, Keatley is in the middle of his second Six Nations campaign as attack and backs coach with the Ireland U20s.
After learning his trade to a certain extent for the 2024 edition of the tournament, the former Munster and Connacht out-half now feels very much at ease in a set-up that is currently spearheaded by Neil Doak — who previously coached Keatley on an Emerging Ireland team that won the IRB Nations Cup in 2014.
“I think the first few weeks of last year’s campaign, Richie just said: ‘First few weeks, just find your feet. Just feel comfortable to talk, whenever you talk. Come in and then we’ll start giving you more and more responsibility,’” Keatley added.
“By the time we got to the World Cup, I felt I was so comfortable with the environment and rolling into this year, I feel very good in this environment. Love working with these guys, these U20s. They’re all 30, 35 lads just literally willing to learn. They’ll literally listen to anything you say and they’re so eager.
“All we want as a coaching staff is for them to put their best foot forward and show their true potential. That’s all they want as well. When we give them messages, they just want to learn and they want to get better. It’s a really great environment to be in.”
Ringrose was solid against Munster . Skinning a second row and stepping inside an open side who was covering 2 players doesn’t make him a starter against Wales as some are suggesting . Step back and give the lad time .
Agree 100%, he looks to have potential but needs to earn a regular starting spot at Leinster first. To be fair he is going about that well.
To be fair that’s not ALL he did. His tackling technique looks really solid and he’s good at chopping players down, whereas Sexton goes too high too often. He was also standing out wide, arm up, screaming for the ball. I really don’t get the conservatism though. If Schmidt and the management think he can do it, then out him bloody in. Same goes for any Ulster back.
What planet are you on , this kid has not even played a full ECC game yet , he scored a very good try in the first 3 minutes against which is now a very average munster side, what did he do in the last 77 minutes that warrants an international starting spot ? What do you think will happen when he comes up against Lesley fofana, Jamie Roberts , do you or anyone else realize the step up to international level? He plays 1 half decent game and straight away he is a starting Irish international in some Leinster fans eyes , if he is this good how come he didn’t start against toulon ? I will tell you why and Leo Cullen knows it too , he would have been pulverized by bastuerau a co and that’s a fact , so if Leo won’t start him against a very strong club side what chance will he have playing against a country , he
is a great prospect but he will need to play a bit more top level club rugby before he takes the next big step up , good luck to the young man
I stopped reading after you said he scored a really good try. He didn’t. It probably didnt get any better after. As for your crap before that, I didn’t say I’d start him. I said if Schmidt and the management think……. If I was picking the team, I’d have McCloskey there, but I’m not picking the team.
Agree, McCloskey has been knocking on them door of the squad for much longer
It’s experience that Ringrose needs. Throw him into the firing pan!
Please god let heenan get through this game unscathed and get a decent run without injury. The poor lad has been plagued!!
Great to see Heenan back
All this talk about henshaw leaving I’d be more worried about pat lam, his stock must be sky high right now I’m sure offers will be on the table soon
Been over this chestnut. Seemingly he has already resigned
Re-signed or resigned? Bit of a difference
Re-signed, check the Galway papers.
Ringrose should start every game at 13 with Fitzgerald at 12. No need to play and develop Te’o any further given he’s leaving in the summer. If Cullen was smart he’d try build a starting XV with a lot of young players who will be the next generation of Leinster & Irish rugby : Moore , Furlong , McGrath, L.McGrath , Ringrose , Van Der Flier , Ruddock , Molony etc
I’d rather win the league with the best team available and let the young players that are good enough fight for a shirt and if playing well keep the shirt.
Fitzgerald could probably do with a rest. He has been excellent this season but he does have fitness worries. Although, I’d be happier to see him play tomorrow and sit out meaningless European games
IMO henshaw staying at Connacht is the best for everyone. Grows the game in Connacht and attracts more youth players in the Connacht branch who want to become the next henshaw and increases ticket sales much to the benefit of the irfu, and with ringrose coming through Leinster won’t be hard pushed for a 13 in years to come. Connacht can become seriously competitive in the pro 12 as well so henshaw wouldn’t need to leave for success if he really wants it, he’ll do his best to bring it to Connacht.
What most people don’t seem to want to consider is what’s best for henshaw? What does he want?
If he wants to compete at the sharp end of European competition, then he’s going to have to move somewhere. Despite their terrible start this year, Leinster have a much stronger panel of players then Connacht. Just hope his head isn’t turned by big offers from England and/or France.
Absolutely Chris. Has the OP actually asked Henshaw what he wants to do? Maybe…..just maybe….he wants to play for Leinster!!!!
Henshaw had ruled out a move off the island
It’s Leinster or Connacht at this stage
Possibly a one extension at Connacht would be best for all concerned?
That’s good news at least reg
What some Leinster fans don’t seem to want to consider is why any smart player from the provinces would want to sign for a club that is clearly going through a transitional period.
But sure what difference does that make? If Henshaw wants to come, that’s all that matters. Should we say to him, “look, we’re flattered by your interest, but we are in transition now and think you shouldn’t come. “
I think people seem to be missing that subtle, but important point, when it comes to players transfering between provinces: ” What the player wants….” If Henshaw doesn’t want to move to Leinster he wont. If he does want to move to Leinster he will. Strikes me that he has already made up his mind and he will likely join Leinster in the near future. For better or worse it will be his decision.
There is a lot of potential for Ireland at the centre. Bundee Aki aims to play for Ireland, he admitted as much when he joined Connacht and he re-confirmed his desire just a few weeks ago.
Big fan of Henshaw, I think he’ll be awesome where ever he goes.
Does Henshaw actually want to go to Leinster that is an assumption or is it an open secret?
If henshaw moves to Leinster, then we can safely assume he wanted to go. If he stays at Connacht, then we can safely assume he wanted to stay. The player has the final decision. Why is this so hard to understand?
Because that is an assumption and not a fact.
Fitzgerald is being rested.
Happy to see McGrath starting. Hopefully Sexton can put in a performance worthy of his stature.
Prob Leinster’s best front five at the moment. Love Ruddock he will make a great captain for years to come. Big games needed out of Murphy, Sexton and the Kearneys but if they all show up Leinster should have too much at home.
Furlong > Moore
Ruddock will be a serious captain in years to come… He’s a purists no.6.. Hits a massive amount of rucks, get up the field to link play on breaks and very rarely lets anyone through in defence… One of the few standouts in the 2 Toulon games. Let’s just hope he gets enough rest to be fresh for the 6N.
Jordi Murphy must be feeling the pressure, His stock has plummeted since the World Cup . I even rate Dom Ryan as a better abrasive 6 then him.
Hopefully number 8 will suit him better
The Leinster back row pecking order should be:
6. Ruddock
Ryan
Murphy
7. O’Brien
Van Der Flier
Ruddock
Murphy
8. Conan
Heaslip
Murphy
O’Brien
John right up until you rated Conan above heaslip I shredded with you.
It pisses me off when people are always underrating heaslip. He is always solid and never gets injured. What more could you want!!
No I think number 8 has to be cj standers. All do Munster have been awful this year he has been the outstanding 8 in the country and probably the whole of the pro 12
The one thing to be admired about Heaslip is that he’s so injury free. I imagine that’s why the French clubs rate him so highly, he can play in far more games a season than any of his rivals.
Robbie he shaw will be able to get a good look at his new team . He will take over from teo . I wish he shaw was playing though
Wouldn’t it be poetic justice, if Connacht win and henshaw signs his new Connacht contract next week.
Is there a possibility that Henshaw ha been biding his time to see how the Connacht team is shaping up for net year
Previous announcements and now Healy signing on for 2 more years the team is looking more stable than it has in a long time
Henshaw would be foolish to leave now.
I do predict a lot more sponsorship deals coming his way if he is to stay at Connacht
I’d love if Henshaw stayed in Connacht but I’ve heard from a very reliable source that he’s gone “sale agreed” to Leinster.
Henshaw is staying at Connacht sure why would u want to move to Leinster or Munster when pat lamb is the best provincial coach in the country;!!
Competition in connachts back row is really going to heat up now heenan is back in contention
With a five day turnaround squad rotation was always going to be key. We are blessed with a quality squad and thankfully with few injuries. Back row was key in Thomond last week and this back row looks just as handy. Hopefully they go well (they will have to as they are up against one of the most under rated irish players, Muldoon). Hope too our defence is a good as against Munster last weekend. Connacht are plagued with injuries but they can still put out an impressive back line even without Henshaw. Hope the weather stay a bit calm as this has the makings of a cracker.
A very good Leinster squad but once again rotation for the sake of rotation. I’d rather pick your best side and make small adjustments here and there due to form, injury and rest.
Agreed. The team that started against Munster was as close to our best starting XV
MacGinty should probably be starting over Carty at this stage
Is Heaslip dropped altogether? I know plenty of people don’t rate him but I thought he put in one of his better displays againdt Munster.
Just being rested I imagine.