Leeds promote thirteen academy players to the first team squad

Posted on Jul 15, 2011 in Championship, Leeds Carnegie

Thirteen players have been promoted from the Leeds Carnegie Academy into the first team squad for the new 2011-12 Championship season and Academy Manager Mark Luffman is promising Leeds fans some exciting times ahead for these young stars.

The players have been training with the first team squad since the start of pre-season and producing some impressive performances in the gym and out on the training field.

The 13 players are Dominic Barrow, Joe Barker, Tom Barrett, Richard Beck, Christian Georgiou, Craig Hampson, Pete Lucock, Toby Quarrandon, Ollie Richards, Alex Rieder, Mark Tampin, Curtis Wilson and Cameron Zeiss.

Commenting on the rising stars Luffman said, “These are players that our new Head Coach Diccon Edwards knows very well from his time as head of our Academy and they are guys who have played a lot of senior rugby whilst out on loan last season in the National Leagues.

“They have been impressing the senior guys with their performances during pre-season and I have no doubt that a couple of them will be pushing for selection in the first team come the start of the season. However, the main priority with this group of players is to get them into the first team, full time environment to continue their development and I think we will have some exciting times in the next five years with this group of players.

“In addition to these 13 players there are also guys like Phil Swainston, Gareth Denman, Tom Denton, Dan White, Scott Freer, Chris Walker and Jacob Rowan who were already in the first team squad having been promoted up over the last few years. The players who come through our Academy are brought up in the ‘Leeds’ way and are passionate about their club and they know that through their own hard work they can achieve their goals with Leeds Carnegie,” added Luffman.

Alex Cheesman signs for London Wasps

Posted on Jul 12, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

London Wasps have added to their strength in depth with the signing of young centre Alex Cheesman.

The 22-year old, who has been studying at Oxford University, has signed a one-year contract with the club after completing his studies. Cheesman initially came through the Wasps Academy system, playing for Wasps at Under 18, Academy and A team level before he began his studies.

While at Oxford he played in three Varsity finals at Twickenham and he also continued to occasionally represent Wasps, featuring in the club’s Sevens side at last year’s JP. Morgan Asset Management 7s Series.

Cheesman is renowned for his athleticism and pace, having also played for England 7s, and he becomes the 12th senior squad signing made by London Wasps in time for the new season.

On the signing, Academy Manager Rob Smith, who coached Cheesman during his time with the Academy, said “With the Academy, only the players that reach the highest levels gain public recognition and this is hopefully only the tip of the iceberg for Alex. Only a few places are available each year for those players to go into the senior set-up, so many very talented young players need to follow other development routes.

“Alex is one of those who has gone away from our system and worked very hard, and it is of great and particular delight for all of the Academy staff when a player progresses through to the top level and in this case comes back home. This is great news and richly deserved.”

Alex Cheesman said “I’m thrilled to be returning to what I consider my rugby playing home. I first went to the Wasps Academy session when I was 15. Under the guidance of Brian Ashton it’s great that I’ve been able to be part of Oxford University’s rugby club whilst studying. My goal has always been to play Premiership rugby and to be back at Wasps doing so is an honour.”

Leinster Academy Panel 2011/12 Announced

Posted on Jul 11, 2011 in Irish Rugby, Leinster

The Leinster Academy panel for the 2011/12 season has been named and includes a number of Ireland Under-20 internationals who competed in the recent IRB Junior World Championships.

In all there are 18 players in the Academy including Jordi Murphy, who captained Ireland Under-20’s last month.

The Academy programme is set out over three years where all of the players will aim to ultimately earn a professional contract. Amongst the most recent graduates are Andrew Conway, Brendan Macken and Jack McGrath who have all gone on to feature for the Senior side of late.

Other past graduates from the Leinster Academy system include the likes of Ireland internationals Fergus McFadden, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O’Brien, Rhys Ruddock, Jonathan Sexton and Devin Toner as well as Fionn Carr and Jamie Hagan who re-joined the province this summer.

In addition to each Academy player’s third level commitments, they will also complete a supplementary HETAC (Higher Education & Training Awards Council) course covering modules such as Rugby, Fitness, Psychology and Lifestyle.

Academy Manager Colin McEntee oversees the day-to-day running of the Academy.

Leinster Academy List 2011/12

YEAR 1: Andrew Boyle (wing), Jordan Coghlan (number eight), David Doyle (hooker), Tadhg Furlong (prop), Conor Gilsenan (back row), Luke McGrath (scrum half), Martin Moore (prop), Colm O’Shea (centre), Michael Sherlock (centre), James Tracy (prop)

YEAR 2: Sam Coghlan-Murray (wing), Darren Hudson (wing), Ben Marshall (back row), Jordi Murphy (back row), Jack O’Connell (prop), Noel Reid (out half)

YEAR 3: Ciaran Ruddock (second row), Eamonn Sheridan (centre)

Four players from the London Irish AASE squad are promoted into the Exiles Academy

Posted on Jun 8, 2011 in London Irish, Premiership

London Irish is delighted to announce that four players who were members of the London Irish AASE (Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence) team last year will be joining the Exiles Academy.

David Sisi, Jack Moates, James Lightfoot-Brown and Ben Pritchard will join current Academy players Guy Armitage, Max Lahiff, Jamie Gibson, Kieran Low and Marland Yarde in the Academy next season.

All four players will be looking to follow in the footsteps of two of this seasons Academy graduates who will be joining the London Irish senior squad for next season. Matt Garvey, who can play in the second row or back row, will be moving up to the senior squad along with Jonathan Joseph who can play on the wing or at outside centre. Both Matt and Jonathan make the step up after spending two seasons in the Academy.

Matt Garvey received the defender of the season award at the recent London Irish end of season awards for having a tackling completion rate of over 95%. Jonathan Joseph received the young player of the season award for his strong performances in defence and attack across the season. Jonathan ended the campaign with five Premiership tries to his name.

One of the new London Irish Academy recruits includes David Sisi, who can play in the second row or in the back row. David appeared for London Irish in an LV=Cup fixture this season, when he made his debut for The Exiles against Sale Sharks.

Sisi, who captained the London Irish AASE side, made his international debut for the England U18 side against Ireland at Donnybrook last December.

Scrum half Jack Moates joins as the AASE team’s top try scorer and has been ever present in the A league side this season.

James Lightfoot-Brown, who can play either scrum half or fly half, appeared in the JPMorgan Premiership Rugby Sevens and A League this season. Like David Sisi he has been an integral part of the England U18 side.

Ben Pritchard is an openside flanker who has also played in the Aviva A league this season.

London Irish Academy Manager, Neal Hatley said: “All four players are very useful additions to the Academy for next season. It is always a difficult process selecting players to join our Academy but we have a lot of confidence in the four players we have selected. David, James, Jack and Ben know they have a lot of work in front of them over the next few years and we know they will be up for the challenge.”

London Irish AASE head coach, Giselle Mather said: “I am thrilled to have our first contracted players going through from our AASE scheme to the Academy in only our second season. To have four players move through the ranks really shows how well our system is working. It shows that if the hard work is put in there is a clear route to a career in professional rugby.”

O’Malley and Ruddock sign new Leinster deals

Posted on Mar 24, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Leinster Rugby have announced that Rhys Ruddock and Eoin O’Malley have each agreed new one and two year deals respectively with the province.

The former Leinster Academy graduates follow a long list of players who have committed their immediate futures with Leinster and news of their signings is seen as a further boost for the province.

O’Malley, 22, has featured in 16 games so far this season (including making his Heineken Cup debut in the cauldron of Stade Marcel Michelin) and was recently awarded with his first Ireland Wolfhounds caps against Scotland and England. The former Belvedere College SJ centre, who made his debut in the 2009/10 season, has played 23 times in total for his home province.

Ireland international back-row Ruddock, 20, meanwhile has agreed his first full-time deal with the province and to date has featured in 13 games this season. Educated in Millfield School, Dublin-born Ruddock joined Leinster in 2009/10; the same season he captained the Ireland Under-20’s to the Six Nations Championship.

Commenting on the deals, Leinster Coach Joe Schmidt said: “We are delighted that two more products of the Leinster underage and Academy systems have signed new deals.

“Both Eoin and Rhys have made an impact with their performances in the Magners League and Heineken Cup so far this year.

“The role of the Academy is crucial in the development of our young players and both Rhys and Eoin, with their work ethic and talent, exemplify the Academy products we are fortunate enough to have here in Leinster.”