LEINSTER’S ACADEMY REMAINS the gold standard in Irish rugby but Ulster can reflect on a satisfying few months for their emerging talent following last Friday night’s A team victory at Kingspan Stadium.
It was Ulster A’s second win over Leinster in the space of four months, with many of the northern province’s young players underlining their promise.
Kieran Campbell – the Ulster academy boss, A team head coach, and new Ireland U20s boss – was justifiably pleased after last weekend’s 37-14 success in Belfast. He has been hoping to see the gap to Leinster closing and is encouraged by what he has seen.
“Guys know that it’s one thing to be given the opportunity but you need to take it as well,” said Campbell. “There’s a level of competition coming because there’s a little bit more depth in our programme. It’s not as easy for guys to get these opportunities, that drives guys on.
“Whether we like it or not we’ve all been jealous of Leinster for that, the competition in their programme drives their performance and we hope that we’re getting closer to that model.
“We’ve come a long way in all sorts of contexts. We wanted to get to a position where there’s a huge fight to get into the academy. That’s why two or three years ago I was saying that I wasn’t really interested in the immediate successes because I knew that we needed to develop a level of competition that made sure it wasn’t just cyclical, it became a system.
“We’re starting to get a system now. Harry Sheridan played at six [against Leinster], he’s studying at Trinity, he’s not under contract, he’s in the sub-academy, he had a really good game. That’s the sort of depth we’re looking at.
“I won’t be satisfied until I have loads of Harry Sheridans, until it’s an absolute fight to get into our academy. I want to put us in a place where it’s not cyclical, that we don’t have cycles of talent which can happen, but that we have a system of producing talent.”
It’s clear that the current group of youngsters in the province have major potential.
Back row David McCann, who was superb again as captain last Friday, is one of the most exciting talents, while there are many others putting their hand up as they look to make the breakthrough into senior rugby.
Campbell and fellow Ulster academy coaches Aiden McNulty and Jonny Graham were delighted with how cohesive an effort the A team delivered last Friday, despite the fact that many of those involved have played very little rugby over the last 10 months due to Covid-19 restrictions shutting down the AIL and underage rugby.
Campbell is sure that this is only a hint of what is to come from this group of Ulster prospects.
“I’m going to be biased but I believe a lot in this group of players that are coming through,” said Campbell. “David McCann is obviously a very good player and he talked a lot about how a lot of these players have been on this journey together since they were 15.
“What does that bring? It’s the intangible stuff, that determination to perform for each other. It’s also the understanding that they’ve worked really hard since they were 15 and that talent has been evident.
“It has been developing nicely to this point but you need to see performances too and when you see a performance like you did [on Friday], you start to believe that little bit more that these boys have the potential and the quality to be making an impact in the Ulster seniors in a couple of years.
“I’ve always believed that, I’ve always believed that there was a level of talent that we can develop to give success.
“I have to be fair to Dan [McFarland] and the senior staff, they are giving these guys opportunities in training, they are watching them closely and they are giving them opportunities in matches.”
With the population of Ulster not far off that of Leinster’s, it would be a real boost for Irish rugby if they can close that gap, and potentially create another European powerhouse.
@Peter McCarthy: that would be great but the problem isn’t with the size of the population. The problem is that a large portion of the population scorn the game as an “English” sport (even though most of these people fervently support LFC or MUFC), are only interested when Ireland play England and could barely name an Irish player. Rory Best does a great work in the Banbridge area with schools and GAA clubs to successfully bridge (no pun intended) the gap, develop links with the rugby club and bring players in to train and play.
It’s great to see the other provinces starting to produce talent through their academies. Bit Ulster and Munster really starting to develop homegrown youngsters of serious quality. It’s great for the individual provinces and great for Ireland in the long run.
@Kevin: Couldn’t agree more. One of the biggest problems Ireland have is not having enough competition for places given Leinster’s dominance at club level. The more provincial players competing against each other the better it is for Ireland
I just hope that David McCann is allowed to develop, rather than being rushed in too quick and even worse will be the expectation that he might be the replacement 8 when Marcel heads for home.
He may well end up playing there but he needs to grow into the role and not burdened with it.
Could do with one or two other forwards stepping up not the senior squad as I am not sure that they replace Marcel and Carter until the turnstiles start turning a profit again.
@Mark Smith: the guy of the Ulster forum who appears to be well connected, has suggested the deal for a replacement is done and gave the cryptic clue, ‘When you go in search of honey you must expect to be stung by bees’.
@Kingshu:
What is your take on it
@Kingshu: Brad Shields from Wasps maybe? Timoney and McCann are better than him.
@Mark Smith: TBH I dont really follow that forum, some who do suggest he is normally spot on, unless a deal falls though etc, and his clues are very cryptic. Current guess is someone from London Irish as the groundshare with Brentford FC Nicknamed “the Bees” or brumbies as sounds like bees and they maybe have played before at Manuka Oval? Rob Valetini of brumbies has played for vikings and they have played at manuka oval, but I can’t see someone just breaking into the Oz team leaving. So in truth I don’t have a clue.
@Kingshu: looking at Rob his contract is up in 2021, I’d be happy with that signing but doubt it. It also appears Faddes will be kept on, can’t afford 3 top NIQ players and he gives experience to young backs. Mathewson hasnt appeared as much as expected as part of IRFU allowing 4th NIQ player was that only 3 would be in a matchday squad, so with Coetzee and Carter playing its either Faddes or Matherson and DMcF has been going with Faddes. Would like to see him kept for another year as Doak comes through. As for Carter contract is up end of this season but don’t know whats happening.
@Kingshu: That sounds like that Australian player that’s nicknamed the honey badger
@Kingshu: Was all for Faddes staying on. Just not sure we can really justify it any longer with all the academy talent coming along.
It was great seeing them backing up the last victory in Dublin. Leinster have to get better now and met the challenge