The Ireland u-18 squad has been named for their upcoming game against Portugal u-18 on Saturday, November 4th in Praca de Maratona.
Dan Van Zyl, a Coach Development Officer with Leinster Rugby, will manage the side which features seven players identified through the IQ Rugby programme. The players come from a variety of English clubs such as Bath, Nottingham and Wasps.
The IRFU's selection policy was under the spotlight again this week after Munster star Simon Zebo was omitted from the November internationals squad, having announced his intention to move to France next season.
Part of that overall policy is the Exiles programme which aims to identify, develop, support and promote talented Irish qualified athletes outside of Ireland. The Exiles have a designated talent identification officer and form a team which plays the other provincial academies during the season.
The Exiles advertise across social media as well as through schools and clubs for players to attend trials in the u16, u17 and u18 age range.
Connacht's Kieran Marmion, Ulster's Kieran Treadwell and Munster’s Sam Arnold, Lorcan Dow and Conor Joyce have all graduated through the programme. On the other hand, Leicester Tigers George McGuigan had came through the programme only to go on and play for the English Saxons.
Earlier this year a programme within the Exiles set up called IQ Rugby was launched by IRFU Performance Director David Nucifora.
Nucifora stated the aim as being "the identification and development of all Irish qualified players that are overseas."
The last number of years our focus has been on player development pathways here in Ireland and we feel that we have got those up and running to a high level. Our focus now has moved into the Exiles area where we have developed a programme called IQ which is basically a performance arm of the Exiles where we will be seeking to further identify and develop Irish qualified talent.
The Exiles as a project are not solely about placing Irish qualified players within Ireland's professional game. The professional set-up they graduate to does not have to be within Ireland. Of course wearing the green jersey is a possibility and the desired outcome from a development point of view.
Ireland U-18 Clubs (v Portugal U-18, Saturday, November 4th, Praca da Maratona)
Thomas Ahern (Dungarvan RFC/ St. Augustine's Dungarvan)
Connor Beer (Bath Academy/Beechen Cliff School) IQ
Ben Daly (Waterpark RFC/Ard Scoil Na Mhara)
Joshua Dunne (Nottingham Academy/Denstone College) IQ
Marcus Hanan (North Kildare RFC/ Salesians College)
Paddy Harris (Wasps Academy/Henley College) IQ
Joe Henry (Wellington College) IQ
Hayden Hyde (Harlequins Academy/Cranleigh School) IQ
Karl Martin (Boyne RFC / St. Marys School Drogheda)
Padraig McCarthy (Bantry Bay RFC/ Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai)
Paddy McKenzie (Wicklow RFC / East Glendalough School)
Oran McNulty (Bath Academy/Millfield) IQ
Chris Moore (Beechen Cliff School) IQ
Iarlaith Morrin Laheen (Galwegians RFC/Calasanctius College)
Conor Morrissey (Cork Constitution FC / Mayfield CS)
Shane Murphy (Skerries RFC / St Joseph's Rush)
Evan Murphy (Nenagh Ormond RFC/Nenagh CBS)
Thomas Ahern (Buccaneers RFC/Coláiste Chíaráin)
Mark Nicholson (Wicklow RFC / Colaiste Chill Mhantain)
Conor O'Brien (Nenagh Ormond RFC/Nenagh CBS)
Saul O'Carroll (Buccaneers RFC/Garbally College)
Kevin O'Connor (Cashel RFC/Cashel Community School)
Charlie Ward (Tullow RFC / Tullow Community School)
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