LUCA CONNELL WILL not be making his senior international debut for Ireland next month.
The 18-year-old midfielder impressed manager Mick McCarthy enough with his performances for Bolton Wanderers to earn a surprise call-up to the squad ahead of the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Denmark and Gibraltar.
Liverpool-born Connell spent last week getting settled into the group during the training camp in Portugal, and spoke about how thrilled he was to be included.
However, the Ireland U19 international has picked up a thigh strain — ruling him out of the double-header.
“He was excellent [in the Algarve],” McCarthy said of the youngster, during today’s media briefing.
He’s got a lovely personality about him. Really pleasant, young fella and he stood out in training. I was impressed with him.
“I’ve just seen him saying goodbye to all the lads and each and everyone of them gave him a hug, [saying] ‘good luck’, ‘get fit’ and ‘see you next time’.
“Everybody took to him as a person and as a player, so it’s sad for him to be going as it was a good opportunity for him.”
McCarthy confirmed that he will not be calling up a replacement for Connell.
Subscribe to our new podcast, The42 Rugby Weekly, here:
Will there be a coach left in Leinster next season
Huge blow for Leinster, signings both for playing but also coaching staff needed for next year.
Can’t remember the guys name but there was talk of an AUS scrum coach taking over. He had worked with or is known to MOC. This appointment was known for a whole in any event so I’m sure contingencies were made. It’s not like our top props won’t have access to Feek given their involvement in the Airush panel. It’s disappointing none the less that another key part of recent successes has moved on.
That’s JS Isa BOD Leo JohnnyS Jonno Gibbes all gone over a 2 year period. All were / are key leaders coaches & players. The transition is well & truly on. Whilst there is disappointment with MOCs first season there is some mitigation. Next year is shaping up to be just as tough. Singings are crucial if IRFU allow. But quality in a would cup year will be hard to get. A decent backs / skills coach wouldn’t go astray either.
Patricio Noriega?
Marco Caputo is his likely replacement
Leinster must be the new Connaught, get ahead at all and Leinster get striped of their quality coaching staff. It’s like a bloody pyramid scheme.
I could see Mike Ross making a top class scrum coach in the not too distant future. According to all reports he studies and knows more about that area of the game than any of his peers.
The scrum nerd par excellence, apparently. Still has a year or two left in those legs yet, though
Yep. Hopefully back in his native cork :-)
I think Botha is being lined up for the Cork post.
From an Ireland perspective this is a great move. All four provinces will benefit from this appointment.
balls
Where’s connaught?
Seems to be a top top coach in his specific area.can only benefit the team .
Think Reggie Corrigan is still contracted as a scrum coach