FOR THE PAST two months, Joe Schmidt has moulded a core group of about 30 Irish players into a squad he could proudly call his own.
Schmidt released the odd player for RaboDirect Pro12 action but the majority of the Irish provinces were forced to dig deep in February and March. TheScore.ie looks at eight players that have given their coaches pause for thought during the six Nations window.
Jack Conan (Old Belvedere and Leinster)
The 21-year-old back row forward made his league debut on 20 February as Leinster defeated Cardiff Blues in Wales. Four minutes into his first start and the No.8 muscled his way over for a try in a crucial away victory.
Paul Cunningham, Conan’s coach at Old Belvedere, told TheScore.ie: “It was no surprise when he was called up for Leinster. He has the raw talent and it was only a matter of time before he made the step up. He has many strengths, to be fair. He has a great burst of speed, good footballing ability and does a lot of damage with ball-in-hand. All that combined has led to him scoring and setting up a lot of tries this year.
“Jack is his own player but there will be the inevitable comparisons to Jamie Heaslip. They have similarities, of course, as Jack is not one to shirk the hard graft. His stand-out game this year was on the back pitch at the Aviva Stadium. He was exceptional in attack and defence. He burst onto the scene last year and both Matt O’Connor and Girvan Dempsey have really helped his game develop this season.”
Ger Slattery (Young Munster and Munster)
A senior contract was not forthcoming for the Young Munster hooker after his three year stint with the Munster Academy. However, an injury crisis over the festive period led to Rob Penney calling Slattery back into the fold. “I got the call on St Stephens’ Day and came off the bench against Connacht at Thomond Park the next day,” he said.
“I went back to my club but got the call again February and played Cardiff. They kept me in the squad for the rest of the month.” The highlight for the 26-year-old was scoring a brace of tries at home to Zebre.
“It was a real whirlwind; Really enjoyable.” Slattery’s hopes of further appearances may be hindered by the signing of New Zealander Quentin McDonald on a three-month contract but he is keeping his phone well charged, regardless.
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Finlay Bealham (Galway Corinthians and Connacht)
Bealham celebrates a home win over Treviso. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Connacht’s Academy manager Nigel Carolan explains the presence of Australian-born prop Finlay Bealham in Galway is due to a conscious decision the province took to look further afield for talent. “His folks live back in Canberra but his grandmother is from Enniskillen. He contacted the IRFU to alert them to the fact he was Irish qualified.
“He got a trial with the Ireland U20s before the Junior World Championships and was keen to stay on in the country after that. We gave him a trial and it was no holds barred but he came through it well. He has a good understanding of the game and how he can affect it.” The 23-year-old loose-head made substitute appearances in the Pro12 wins over Zebre and treviso.
Stuart McCloskey (Dungannon and Ulster)
McCloskey made his first Ulster start against Scarlets on Friday. Presseye / Darren Kidd/INPHO
Presseye / Darren Kidd/INPHO / Darren Kidd/INPHO
“He’s a big lump of a lad, you know. 6 foot 3, 4. With the size he is I was real pleased with the way he handled himself.” So was the view of Ulster coach Mark Anscombe after McCloskey made a longer than expected [63 minute] debut following Luke Marshall’s concussion. The centre followed it up with his first start, against Scarlets, last Friday. Speaking after his Dragons debut, the 21-year-old said:
It’s a lot faster than anything I’ve played before but I’ve been training with the seniors for most of the year so it is not too bad. I’ve played about 10 Ravens matches too so that has helped me make that step-up… I’ve had a few close [selection] calls this year so I was happy to get out there for my first cap. It was more of a relief.
“I thought I was in [for tries] a couple of times. I sorted tripped going for [Darren] Cave’s chip through and I thought [Iain] Henderson was going to give it at the end but he held on. There’ll be other nights hopefully.”
Darragh Fanning (St Mary’s and Leinster)
The winger returned from playing semi professional rugby in Australia to have on last dart at making the provincial grade. Matt O’Connor, on the look-out for a back of the Alex Cuthbert variety, gave Fanning a chance pre-season and was so impressed that he soon followed up with a pro contract. The St Mary’s man has now played 10 league games and, against Glasgow Warriors on 1 March, scored his first Leinster try.
O’Connor has described Fanning’s recent form as “exceptional”. He commented, “With Darragh, there are some really good quality blokes ahead of him, but he’s getting better every time he pulls on the shirt, which is pleasing.”
Rory Scholes (Belfast Harlequins and Ulster)
The talented Ireland U20 winger has amassed four Ulster caps since his senior debut at home to Ospreys on 7 February. Scholes, who can also cover fullback, came close to scoring on his full debut, against Dragons, but was eventually hauled down short of the tryline.
Scholes is tackled against Treviso. Matteo Ciambelli / INPHO
Matteo Ciambelli / INPHO / INPHO
“Rory has had his couple of games off the bench,” said Anscombe. “I like the look of him. He’s a good kid. It was unfortunate; I thought he was going to get his first dot down but fell short. He’s a good boy so we just have to get him up and used to this level.” Anscombe’s faith in Scholes’ potential is clear as a second start followed, against Scarlets, last Friday at Ravenhill.
Gerry Hurley (Cork Constitution and Munster)
Hurley training with Andrew Conway last Tuesday. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
Hurley is the oldest of our eight selected players — he turns 30 in May — but is enjoying a rugby renaissance this season. The Cork Constitution scrum-half first played for Munster in 2007/08 but was released from provincial duties over five years ago. Conor Murray’s Irish involvement and injury to Cathal Sheridan meant Rob Penney dipped into the Ulster Bank League for an experienced head to back up Duncan Williams.
Hurley, who captained Cork Con to Munster Senior Cup success over Shannon in December, came off the bench to see Munster home against Connacht less than a week later. A substitute appearance followed, away to Scarlets, and Penney has wisely decided to keep the sprightly operator in for training with the senior squad as the season approaches its conclusion.
Eoghan Masterson (Galway Corinthians and Connacht)
The Portlaoise native is a product of the Leinster youth system but headed west when he found opportunities limited with his home province. “He was injured for a year while at Leinster,” explained Carolan, “so it was hard for him to make a full impression.”
Masterson celebrates with Kieran Marmion after the scrum-half's try against Treviso. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
The lock, who can also cover back row positions, played a couple of Ireland U20 games last year but missed out on selection for the Junior World Championship. Undeterred, he chased down his Scottish ancestry and contacted the SRU. Carolan describes the move as “proactive”. He added, “Eoghan contacted us after the JWC and asked for an opportunity. We gave it to him and he flourished. He’s got great leadership skills and is a fine rugby player. It was a win-win for us.”
The concussion-related lay-off for Connacht captain Craig Clarke led to Masterson starting for the province in wins over Zebre and Treviso. Carolan expects him to earn several more caps before the end of the season.
What young Irish player has stood out for you in the RaboDirect Pro12 this season?
8 Irish players who took advantage of the Six Nations window
FOR THE PAST two months, Joe Schmidt has moulded a core group of about 30 Irish players into a squad he could proudly call his own.
Schmidt released the odd player for RaboDirect Pro12 action but the majority of the Irish provinces were forced to dig deep in February and March. TheScore.ie looks at eight players that have given their coaches pause for thought during the six Nations window.
Jack Conan (Old Belvedere and Leinster)
The 21-year-old back row forward made his league debut on 20 February as Leinster defeated Cardiff Blues in Wales. Four minutes into his first start and the No.8 muscled his way over for a try in a crucial away victory.
Paul Cunningham, Conan’s coach at Old Belvedere, told TheScore.ie: “It was no surprise when he was called up for Leinster. He has the raw talent and it was only a matter of time before he made the step up. He has many strengths, to be fair. He has a great burst of speed, good footballing ability and does a lot of damage with ball-in-hand. All that combined has led to him scoring and setting up a lot of tries this year.
“Jack is his own player but there will be the inevitable comparisons to Jamie Heaslip. They have similarities, of course, as Jack is not one to shirk the hard graft. His stand-out game this year was on the back pitch at the Aviva Stadium. He was exceptional in attack and defence. He burst onto the scene last year and both Matt O’Connor and Girvan Dempsey have really helped his game develop this season.”
Ger Slattery (Young Munster and Munster)
A senior contract was not forthcoming for the Young Munster hooker after his three year stint with the Munster Academy. However, an injury crisis over the festive period led to Rob Penney calling Slattery back into the fold. “I got the call on St Stephens’ Day and came off the bench against Connacht at Thomond Park the next day,” he said.
“I went back to my club but got the call again February and played Cardiff. They kept me in the squad for the rest of the month.” The highlight for the 26-year-old was scoring a brace of tries at home to Zebre.
“It was a real whirlwind; Really enjoyable.” Slattery’s hopes of further appearances may be hindered by the signing of New Zealander Quentin McDonald on a three-month contract but he is keeping his phone well charged, regardless.
Finlay Bealham (Galway Corinthians and Connacht)
Connacht’s Academy manager Nigel Carolan explains the presence of Australian-born prop Finlay Bealham in Galway is due to a conscious decision the province took to look further afield for talent. “His folks live back in Canberra but his grandmother is from Enniskillen. He contacted the IRFU to alert them to the fact he was Irish qualified.
“He got a trial with the Ireland U20s before the Junior World Championships and was keen to stay on in the country after that. We gave him a trial and it was no holds barred but he came through it well. He has a good understanding of the game and how he can affect it.” The 23-year-old loose-head made substitute appearances in the Pro12 wins over Zebre and treviso.
Stuart McCloskey (Dungannon and Ulster)
“He’s a big lump of a lad, you know. 6 foot 3, 4. With the size he is I was real pleased with the way he handled himself.” So was the view of Ulster coach Mark Anscombe after McCloskey made a longer than expected [63 minute] debut following Luke Marshall’s concussion. The centre followed it up with his first start, against Scarlets, last Friday. Speaking after his Dragons debut, the 21-year-old said:
“I thought I was in [for tries] a couple of times. I sorted tripped going for [Darren] Cave’s chip through and I thought [Iain] Henderson was going to give it at the end but he held on. There’ll be other nights hopefully.”
Darragh Fanning (St Mary’s and Leinster)
The winger returned from playing semi professional rugby in Australia to have on last dart at making the provincial grade. Matt O’Connor, on the look-out for a back of the Alex Cuthbert variety, gave Fanning a chance pre-season and was so impressed that he soon followed up with a pro contract. The St Mary’s man has now played 10 league games and, against Glasgow Warriors on 1 March, scored his first Leinster try.
O’Connor has described Fanning’s recent form as “exceptional”. He commented, “With Darragh, there are some really good quality blokes ahead of him, but he’s getting better every time he pulls on the shirt, which is pleasing.”
Rory Scholes (Belfast Harlequins and Ulster)
The talented Ireland U20 winger has amassed four Ulster caps since his senior debut at home to Ospreys on 7 February. Scholes, who can also cover fullback, came close to scoring on his full debut, against Dragons, but was eventually hauled down short of the tryline.
“Rory has had his couple of games off the bench,” said Anscombe. “I like the look of him. He’s a good kid. It was unfortunate; I thought he was going to get his first dot down but fell short. He’s a good boy so we just have to get him up and used to this level.” Anscombe’s faith in Scholes’ potential is clear as a second start followed, against Scarlets, last Friday at Ravenhill.
Gerry Hurley (Cork Constitution and Munster)
Hurley is the oldest of our eight selected players — he turns 30 in May — but is enjoying a rugby renaissance this season. The Cork Constitution scrum-half first played for Munster in 2007/08 but was released from provincial duties over five years ago. Conor Murray’s Irish involvement and injury to Cathal Sheridan meant Rob Penney dipped into the Ulster Bank League for an experienced head to back up Duncan Williams.
Hurley, who captained Cork Con to Munster Senior Cup success over Shannon in December, came off the bench to see Munster home against Connacht less than a week later. A substitute appearance followed, away to Scarlets, and Penney has wisely decided to keep the sprightly operator in for training with the senior squad as the season approaches its conclusion.
Eoghan Masterson (Galway Corinthians and Connacht)
The Portlaoise native is a product of the Leinster youth system but headed west when he found opportunities limited with his home province. “He was injured for a year while at Leinster,” explained Carolan, “so it was hard for him to make a full impression.”
The lock, who can also cover back row positions, played a couple of Ireland U20 games last year but missed out on selection for the Junior World Championship. Undeterred, he chased down his Scottish ancestry and contacted the SRU. Carolan describes the move as “proactive”. He added, “Eoghan contacted us after the JWC and asked for an opportunity. We gave it to him and he flourished. He’s got great leadership skills and is a fine rugby player. It was a win-win for us.”
The concussion-related lay-off for Connacht captain Craig Clarke led to Masterson starting for the province in wins over Zebre and Treviso. Carolan expects him to earn several more caps before the end of the season.
What young Irish player has stood out for you in the RaboDirect Pro12 this season?
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Guinness PRO12 Connacht eoghan masterson finlay bealham ger slattery gerry hurley Jack Conan Leinster Munster stuart mccloskey Ulster Young Guns