The Ireland U20s have been simply fantastic so far in the U20 Six Nations. They are four wins from four so far and in those wins they have smashed Wales, Italy and England while also getting a beautiful last second victory in France. If the Ireland U20s - who are sponsored by PwC Ireland - win against Scotland it will be their second Grand Slam in three years having completed the same feat in 2019 (they were on course to do it in 2020 until covid intervened).
Richie Murphy has used the bulk of his squad and each player has been phenomenal when called upon but we've selected just a few of the standout performers from the tournament so far.
Standout Ireland U20s Players
James Culhane
4 February 2022; James Culhane of Ireland during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Wales at Musgrave Park in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
The Blackrock past pupil has been the star man in the U20 Six Nations so far. The number 8 put in two man of the match performances against Wales and Italy while being immense throughout. He has the most carries in the tournament so far with 53 and has made the third most metres with 385 metres, just seven metres off top spot Patrick Campbell.
It's not just with the ball in hand where Culhane dominates. He has the most dominant tackles in the Irish team with three and has won three turnovers. It looks like he'll be backrow for Leinster to add to their impressive list.
Matthew Devine
4 February 2022; Matthew Devine of Ireland on his way to scoring his side's second try during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Wales at Musgrave Park in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
The Connacht scrum-half has been 'divine' (pardon the pun) so far. He's tied for the most tries in the U20 Six Nations, scoring three tries while also topping the try assist chart with four. He has the speed and attacking instinct that the modern scrum-half needs to have, anticipating when a break could be made and running support lines similar to the likes of Antoine Dupont.
With Craig Casey and Nathan Doak also coming through the last couple of years Devine is another talented scrum-half to add to the pool.
Chay Mullins
25 February 2022; Chay Mullins of Ireland celebrates after scoring his side's fourth try during the Guinness U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at Musgrave Park in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
A product of the IRFU IQ Rugby system Mullins is currently on the book of Bristol Bears but will definitely be attracting the four provinces. He along with Fionn Gibbons, Aitzol King and Shane Mallon have all been sensational. They've scored six tries between each other with Mullins taking the plaudits with three of them. Mullins has also broken 12 tackles, the fourth most in the Six Nations.
Mullins is a very big, physical winger but he has the killer instinct and finishing ability you love to see in a winger. There's more to come from the winger.
Reuben Crothers
4 February 2022; Reuben Crothers of Ireland in action against Bryn Bradley of Wales during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Wales at Musgrave Park in Cork. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
The Ireland captain has lead by example. Crothers hasn't been the flashiest on the ball but defensively he's been a monster. Crothers has made the most tackles in the Irish squad with 55 and has won four turnovers as well.
You always need a flanker that can do the dirty work and Crothers thrives in the fundamentals of the game. He's added two tries to boast as well and hopefully on Sunday he'll be celebrating a Grand Slam and lifting the Six Nations trophy.
There's many more players that deserve a mentions like Munster's Patrick Campbell, Jack Boyle and Ben Brownlee and hopefully this team will get the job done on Sunday and go down with the likes of 2007 and 2016 as some of the best Ireland U20s teams of all time.
SEE ALSO: Remembering Ireland's Most Iconic Six Nations Win At Twickenham
