After defeats to France and South Africa in their opening games of the U20s Six Nations Summer Series, Ireland U20s bounced back to form and ended their campaign with wins over England and Scotland.
It was an excellent opportunity for head coach Richie Murphy to try out some new ideas and players after that amazing Six Nations campaign back in the spring, where they won the Grand Slam.
That’s a wrap for another @IrishRugby 20’s season, 44 players got the chance to represent their country between the 6 Nations & Summer Series. Massive thank you to all the supporters who got behind the team and the staff who worked so hard to make it happen. @PwCIreland pic.twitter.com/AtaaT0gk6x
— Richie Murphy (@RichieMurphy100) July 13, 2022
Rugby Analyst Brett Igoe has given his thoughts on the great experience for the young Ireland U20 side and he has also picked out his players of the tournament.
Lorcan McLoughlin - Ulster backrow
5 July 2022; Lorcan McLoughlin of Ireland in action against Fin Smith of England during the Six Nations U20 summer series match between Ireland and England at Payanini Centre in Verona, Italy. Photo by Roberto Bregani/Sportsfile
McLoughlin really shined in the game against England. It was not a good start for five minutes. Ireland conceded two tries and trailed 14-0. I think we were all fearing the worst after the France defeat, but Ireland got back into it. I think Lorcan McLoughlin got the team back into it. The Ulster No. 8 is a player that's grabbed his opportunity with James Culhane [U20s Six Nations Player of the Year] being injured. He's a player that Ulster should be looking at in the future."
Quick feet and big fends 💪
Lorcan McLoughlin will be one to watch for @IrishRugby...#U20SummerSeries | @SixNationsU20 pic.twitter.com/vFNsHhsFxY— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) July 5, 2022
Sam Prendergast - Leinster outhalf
5 July 2022; Sam Prendergast of Ireland converts a penalty during the Six Nations U20 summer series match between Ireland and England at Payanini Centre in Verona, Italy. Photo by Roberto Bregani/Sportsfile
Another player of great interest for Richie moving on to next year, Sam Prendergast who is still U19. Sam's a Leinster academy player. His performance against England was brilliant apart from probably that first five or ten minutes. The pass he put through for Dylan O'Grady was probably one of the best passes you'd see at any level of rugby.
Of course he was involved in the last minute penalty kick. Pretty brave to put his hand up to take it from about 52/53 metres out. He had a good kicking performance all game and it's just great that a young guy from U19s level has the confidence to be able to do that and that bodes well for the future for him. He's one that we've got to keep an eye on.
Sam Prendergast has had some tournament for the Irish U20s this Summer.
Love the combination of deception, strength and speed he shows here to beat so many defenders.#IrishRugby #U20SummerSeries pic.twitter.com/wikW226Z7A— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) July 12, 2022
Patrick Campbell - Munster fullback
25 February 2022; Patrick Campbell of Ireland is tackled by Ross Vintcent of Italy during the Guinness U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at Musgrave Park in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
"Patrick Campbell is another stand out player on that team. Patrick's already played in the Heineken Cup. He's the only player on the squad that has played at that level. He's one that's going to benefit greatly with some game time down in Munster and under new coaching staff down in Munster, hopefully he'll get that opportunity. He's definitely one for us to keep an eye out for.
Conor O'Tighearnaigh - Leinster second-row
11 February 2022; Conor O Tighearnaigh of Ireland during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between France and Ireland at Stade Maurice David in Aix-en-Provence, France. Photo by Manuel Blondeau/Sportsfile
Conor O'Tighearnaigh has played all the Six Nations games and has actually played all of these games as well and he's still U19s so he gets an opportunity next year as well. He will become, touch wood, if he plays next season, one of the most capped Irish U20 players of all time and he is a standout player of huge interest. He's a big, physical player. He's from Leinster and he's another one that fingers crossed, will get some playtime and another big second row from St. Michael's school so he's one that was probably have to look at."
Reuben Crothers - Ulster backrow
29 June 2022; Reuben Crothers of Ireland on his way to scoring a try during the Six Nations U20 summer series match between Ireland and South Africa at Payanini Centre in Verona, Italy. Photo by Roberto Bregani/Sportsfile:
Crothers captained the side in the Six Nations when they won the Grand Slam in February. He is definitely one we want to have a look at in the future. There's some really good, young back rowers coming through all four provinces and Crothers us definitely one we need to look at so fingers crossed he gets the game time he deserves.
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