THE ABSENCE OF a few big names, just means a chance for others to make themselves known.
U20 Grand Slam-winning coach Noel McNamara will have think his way through a teak tough pool at next month’s junior ‘World Cup’ (its given name, the World Rugby U20 Championship is something of a mouthful) without the influence and star power of out-half Harry Byrne, openside Scott Penny and captain David Hawkshaw.
However, this group have been nothing if not adaptive through this year’s exploits and they completed the Grand Slam without Byrne or Hawkshaw in the back-line as Ben Healy and Sean French instead formed the 10-12 axis.
Penny’s absence will bring a space to fill in the back row, with Martin Moloney a leading contender to move across from the blindside and fill the 7 jersey.
“That’s part of sport unfortunately,” McNamara said after unveiling a 33-man training squad at sponsors PWC yesterday.
“The reality is that part of this process is so that guys can go on and contribute provincial and international rugby and, in fairness to Scott and Harry, they have done that.
“Obviously the initial reaction is that it is disappointing for them because it is an opportunity on a big stage to show what they can do. Then you look at the opportunity it will be for someone else.”
With four-day turnarounds between pool matches, beginning with England on 4 June in Santa Fe, the ability to rotate and rapidly embed players into the team systems will prove telling in the shake-up.
“I think one of the things about the team throughout the course of this season and previous seasons is: it is a team.
It has been about the collective and not one individual. Whilst we recognise the importance of certain players, I think there are players there who will step up.
“You mention some of them there, there are some really consistent performers throughout the course of the Six Nations who are absolutely chomping at the bit and ready to do.”
Among them will be second row Ryan Baird, who was kept to impact roles against France and Wales after struggling with injury early in the Six Nations. Ulster’s Azur Allison and Stewart Moore were among the men in McNamara’s Championship thoughts back in January, but were kept sidelined by injury throughout and so they are among six uncapped players in the training group before the trans-Atlantic trip.
On top of them, McNamara hailed the standard of rugby being played in the All-Ireland League as he welcomed Clontarf hooker Declan Adamson, Terenure’s Adam La Grue and, from a little further down the club structure, Tullow’s Charlie Ward.
“Another man from Tullow, just as one leaves us another arrives. Hopefully, Charlie can have a similar impact to the previous Tullow Tank,” McNamara says with a broad grin.
“Declan Adamson has just had a really good year. I’m at pains to point out the importance of the AIL to the U20s.
“Declan has had a tremendous year with Clontarf where they went all the way to the final. Paddy Finlay was their starting hooker, but missed large chunks of the season. Declan stepped in and did really well for them.”
“Adam La Grue the same. Terenure initially had a very tough year and then it looked like if they could get into the play-offs towards the end of it, they could have actually gone on and won it.
“Adam has had a tremendous year with Terenure, been one of their top performers, scoring tries, defensively very solid. He’s got an opportunity on the back of that.”
You liat the KO at 14:30…. isn’t it 15:00? I’m booked in for a full head of highlights at 1 and won’t make a half 2 kick off……
@Bungee Aky: no it’s been changed to 2:30! You’d wanna tell the hairdresser to get a move on
@Boo Radley: you can’t rush perfection
Anybody got an update on the Bill Johnston move to Ulster? Asking for a friend.
@Jim Demps: is your friend Rochelle?
@Bungee Aky: don’t be silly Rochelle has no friends
@Jim Demps: is it a case of use it or lose it.
@Chris Mc: I’m all for it, hope it’s happening. It’d be a great move for him, Ulster and for munster.
@Jim Demps: I’m not sure how it’s good for munster but he does need rugby at this stage.
@Chris Mc: no point in having a 28, 26, 23 and 22 year old all vying for the same position. If Johnston moves on we’ve got a good balance there. At the moment with carbery the same age as him Johnston isn’t going to be given a fair chance so a move will suit him. For munster they can break in Ben Healy and give him the exposure as a young talent. It’s too easy for people to look at Johnston and say he was never given a chance but you can’t ignore his injuries. Two dislocated shoulders and a broken leg for a 22 year old is an awful lot of injuries and it’s bound to slow down his progression. Van Graan has shown that he will give young talent the chance it needs and I’d expect that to continue.
@Jim Demps: fair enough.
@Jim Demps: ‘exposure as a young talent’
When are you going to see what happens at Munster??
@Andrew H: I see it every game I go to Andrew. I’ve seen wycherley, loughman, Shane Daly, Gavin Coombes, o Connor and more all excel. You’re just using Bill Johnston as a tired old excuse to beat munster with. Too easy to compare young lads to Ryan and larmour, once in a generation talents who have as much international as club games under their belt. Try comparing them to their peers, Conor o brien to goggin, josh Murphy to wycherley, abdaladze to loughman and the picture might be a bit clearer for you.
2:30pm? My ticket says 3pm
@Thomyk: game will be over by then and Munsters season finished.
@Bungee Aky: could be right there lad , win r lose it’s supporting them that matters
@Thomyk: naw, nothing beats winning, you just forgot that it’s been so long
@Bungee Aky: won last Saturday pal , and I’m fairly sure we won a few games this season to, so maybe your talking through your anus now ?
Are you two done? Now up to your rooms and do your homework and leave your phones down.
@Thomyk: winning wars not battles
@Bungee Aky: grow a brain
Should be a belter and intimacy of the RDS for such a big game is again great as opposed to 3/4 full Aviva. Re KO info came out earlier for 2.30 KO on PRO14 Twitter
“Semi-Final KO Update: @leinsterrugby v @Munsterrugby to kick off at 14:30 on Saturday May 18 – live on @eirSport & @PremierSportsTV
#GuinnessPRO14”
@mrbryanrussell: if lowe plays it could be a rout
@Eoin Murphy: don’t think so, one thing is for certain let’s hope they don’t get sucked in like last time and focus on getting the job done. Should be a great match hopefully JVdF is back in the squad too as well as Joey
Will be tough for Leinster. Either they’ll all be hungover after winning the European cup, or in a sad shitty mood with no desire to play.
@sup: They’re highly motivated to do the double and if they lose to Saracens their determination will be even greater to win a trophy this season.