Connacht:
Cathal Forde
Forde was part of the Ireland U20s class of 2021 and toured with Emerging Ireland before enjoying a very encouraging run in the Connacht team last season, at one point even keeping Bundee Aki out of the side. The Connacht Academy product started nine games last season and he’s launched into the new campaign in superb form, starring in the opening wins against Ospreys and Glasgow.
The centre, who turns 22 this weekend, is an athletic ball-carrier with strong defensive qualities and the ability to adapt to difficult circumstances in-game – against Glasgow he shrugged off a poor early mistake to deliver a player of the match performance, even packing down in the scrum when Jarrad Butler was in the sin-bin and kicking four from four off the tee (two conversions and two penalties) when JJ Hanrahan was forced off with an injury.
The Corinthians clubman has formed an impressive centre partnership with Tom Farrell and for a squad who don’t have the same depth as some of the other provinces, his rise is a very welcome development. Forde should see plenty of action in the coming months and can be an important part of the post-Andy Friend era.
Leinster:
Jack Boyle
There’s a lot of excitement around Leinster loosehead Boyle, who has enjoyed an encouraging start to the new season. After making two appearances for the province off the bench across 2022/23, Boyle has benefitted from the absence of Leinster’s Ireland contingent and a string of front row injuries by starting the two opening URC fixtures – scoring a try away to Glasgow before clocking up 60 minutes against the Sharks last weekend.
The 21-year-old was one of the standout performers for the Ireland U20s as they stormed to Grand Slam success in 2022, having come through the age grades at Old Wesley and winning a Senior Schools Cup with St Michael’s College in 2019, where he scored two first-half tries in the final against Gonzaga.
A dynamic front-rower, Boyle also won bronze medals in both the hammer and long jump at Leinster Schools level. He put that explosive power to good use in burrowing over for his first Leinster try against Glasgow. Having reportedly been subject to interest from Exeter over the summer, the highly-rated prop looks ready to take the next step with Leinster this season.
Munster:
Edwin Edogbo
Edogbo has been on the radar of Munster supporters for some time now but looks primed to kick on this season after two starts and five appearances of the bench across the 2022/23 campaign, his performances rewarded with a first senior contract. Edogbo will remain an Academy player this season before stepping up to a senior deal for the 2024/25 campaign.
A powerful lock listed at 6’6″ and 122kg, the 20-year-old looks to have packed on more muscle over the summer months. Edogbo has started Munster’s opening two fixtures this season and crossed for his first try for the province in the first round win against the Sharks, displaying his power to provide the game’s opening score after 20 minutes.
Edwin Edogbo slams down his 1st Munster try 🔥#MUNvSHA #URC #SUAF 🔴pic.twitter.com/ax9gXi7Evd
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) October 21, 2023
Edogbo came up through the ranks at Cobh Pirates and became the first player from the club to represent Munster in the pro era. His footwork makes him a threat with ball in hand and he’s already proving a menace at the breakdown by winning some big turnovers. At just 20, he’s got plenty of room for growth but this could be the season he becomes a regular feature in the matchday 23.
Ulster:
Jake Flannery
Flannery came through at Kilfeacle & District RFC and Rockwell College. He was the starting fullback for the Ireland U20 side that won the Grand Slam in 2019 and then moved to out-half for the World Championships that summer.
There was some surprise when the young out-half stepped away from Munster in March 2022, but Flannery is clearly an ambitious player and decided to try something different after finding gametime hard to come by at his home province.
With reported interest from France and England, Flannery opted to head north to Ulster and made four URC appearances last season, including two starts. He started the opening round win away to Zebre this season and marked the occasion with his first Ulster try. The Tipperary man has good vision and looks calm on the ball, with his ability to play at 12 or 15 an added bonus.
With Jack Crowley continuing to impress and Sam Prendergast pushing through at Leinster, there’s no shortage of exciting young 10s in Ireland and Flannery will hope to keep his name in that conversation over the course of the season.
Dropping of points is a major concern already. The performance was good yesterday I thought. Hitting the post twice and the crossbar and add in Pickford had the game of his life, these kinda days happen every once and a while but we have to start putting teams away. City dropping points aswell against struggling villa shows they’re not invincible but Liverpool have to start putting teams away before city are out of sight. Can’t be depending on a comeback like last season when we were 14 points behind them at 1 stage only to finish a point behind them on the final day.
@James horgan: not good enough last season and def not good enough this yr. They need to concentrate on qualifying for europe next yr and prioritise the FA or CARABOO as to keep the fans happy.
@Sean Bourke: “concentrate on qualifying for Europe”. Are you for real. They’ll finish in top 3 and more than likely top 2 with city winning the league. Arsenal will die off, Chelsea and spurs aren’t exactly setting the world on fire and united are united. No fears of any of the rest, just trying to keep pace with city. Which they aren’t at the moment but a long way to go.
@James horgan: “and united are united” ….. What’s that supposed to mean? They stick together?
@Stephen Foster: it means they won’t be anywhere near challenging for a title so Liverpool or City or spurs or whoever has eyes on winning it won’t even be taking uniteds results into consideration
@James horgan: recent form, results, and a look at the Premiership table would suggest otherwise.
@Stephen Foster: Man united are currently 8th. What are you on about
@James horgan: James don’t be taking that bait…
@Darren Fitzpatrick: he did tho lol
@Sean Bourke: he did :(
@James horgan: United are United! That’s a ridiculous statement. The most successful team in premiership history. If United are United they’ll finish above Liverpool as they have done more often than not over the last 30 years
@James horgan: omg get the thermometer out
@James horgan: and now they are 4th?
Bigger concern is that some players, Trent most of all, are too casual and look like they don’t care. Liverpool decided to rely on injury prone players so can’t use that excuse. The group they have should be doing better.
This result wouldn’t have been a disaster if the previous games were won . Mane is a big loss and a mistake letting him go , it makes it all so worse when ox was on more money than him .Too many players are off the pace at once , and if this run gets worse the fans will be on the Glazers miserly uncles , John Henry and co .
@Tricksy: he didn’t want to be there. His time ran it’s course. This mane missing is growing legs for now reason. Apart from the last 6 months of last year there previous 18 where poor from
Mane. Albeit he always gave you 100 percent, had had been lacking world class quality for a bit. I’m not haven him gone as the one sole reason we haven clicked yet
@Tricksy: Mane wanted to go they didn’t let him go if a player wants to leave good luck to him it can’t be as simple as Mane leaving ,form from at least 5/6 players has been poor and at that level if your not on it you get found out