THE IRFU HAVE announced the appointment of Richie Murphy as the new head coach of the Ireland U20 team.
He succeeds Kieran Campbell in the role ahead of this summer’s rearranged Six Nations tournament.
Murphy – who has been the Ireland senior side’s skills and kicking coach since 2013 – takes charge of the youngsters for the next two seasons, while also staying involved with Andy Farrell’s set-up.
“Richie will remain a specialist kicking resource for the men’s senior national team but his new role as Ireland U20 head coach will focus on him working with Peter Smyth developing players on the elite pathway, from the National Talent Squad and Academy players,” explained an IRFU press release.
Farrell said: “It will be important for us that Richie remains connected to the national team coaching group as his expertise and experience are of great benefit to the players.
“However, it is a great opportunity for him in a head coach role and to be working with the next generation coming through in a full-time capacity. We have always had a strong relationship with the U20s squad and Richie’s appointment will only strengthen that connection.”
The U20 Six Nations is scheduled to take place across a condensed three-week period in June and July, with full details expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
“It’s an exciting role that will allow me to fulfil a wider coaching brief and drive talent development across the pathway,” Murphy said.
“There are challenges within the pathway specifically in specialised positions and the task is to ensure that they have the skills, temperament and game appreciation to excel in the professional game at both provincial and national level.”
IRFU performance director David Nucifora added: “Richie has a wealth of experience at the very highest level of the game and knows what it takes to deliver success in the senior international and provincial game.
“The U20s programme is a hugely important benchmark for our pathway players but it is also vital that the system keeps producing and supporting talent and this will be key focus of Richie’s role.”
I’m sure Murphy is a very good coach with plenty of strong recommendations but is this an opportunity lost to bring someone new into the fold with different ideas who isn’t tied to the current management team?
@Ricky Wright: I think Irfu have taken a good approach to u20′s management in the last number of years. They seem to go for coaches who place a high degree of emphasis on skills and heads up rugby. Probably why the 20′s have been more exciting to watch over the last number of years than the senior team.
@Punts & Race Discussion: if we look at the sort of players which have come through and are coming through at Munster and Leinster in the forwards it makes a great reading for the type of players Ireland are looking to produce. I know am missing a few guys here but off top my head that reads well from last few years. All athletically gifted and skilled.
Doris
Deegan
Baird
Connors
Kelleher
Penny
Porter
Ryan
Sheehan
Wycherley x2
Coombes
Ahern
Hodnett
@Punts & Race Discussion: personally I think it was a mistake to have the u20 national team head coach as the academy coach for a province. That was changed in January with Kieran Campbell being appointed. Now the rumour is he’s heading to England which is fair enough. The u20 game is a shambles at the moment due to lack of games as a result of covid. Hopefully it’ll get going again soon
Great Appointment