IRFU Announce National Talent Squads

Posted on Dec 14, 2010 in Rugby News

The Irish Rugby Football Union today announced 94 selected players for the Ireland U18 Club, U18 School and U19 National Talent Squads for the season.

The National Talent Squads are part of the IRFU’s High Performance pathway and consist of underage players who have been identified at this point in their development for progression to international team representation.

The selection process has been based on their interprovincial competition performances and also the national screening camps that took place during October. Once the players are named in the squad for this season, they are continually assessed on all aspects of their rugby progression from skills to physical development.

IRFU High Performance Manager Allen Clarke said, “The announcement of the National Talent Squads reflects significant advancements in our elite player development programmes. This progress has been greatly assisted by the contribution of schools, clubs and the number of quality volunteers who add significant value through their commitment and support of the RDS (regional development squad) programme. The players have been selected following their performances in the interprovincial competitions in September and national screenings in October.

“Playing rugby for their schools or clubs, they receive additional specific support from provincial academy experts, based on individual needs to prepare them for the respective International fixtures at Ireland Club U18′s, Ireland Schools U18′s and Ireland U19′s. It is important to note that the squads are not ‘ring fenced’ – performances of all players continue to be evaluated through the game allowing for late developers and rewarding performances on the field.”

National Talent Squads 2010/11

Under 18 Schools Squad
Ben Alexander (Royal Belfast Academical Institution/Ulster)
Adam Boland (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Edward Byrne (Clongowes Wood College/Leinster)
John Creighton (Campbell College/Ulster
Steve Crosbie (St Gerard’s School/Leinster)
Christopher Farrell (Campbell College/Ulster)
Thomas Ferrari  (Sligo Grammar School/Connacht)
Jack Fitzpatrick (Gonzaga College/Leinster)
Seamus Glynn (Presentation Brothers Cork/Munster)
Mark Gribben (Methodist College Belfast/Ulster)
Stuart Hooks (Royal School Armagh/Ulster)
Dan Leavy (St Michael’s College/Leinster)
Sean McCarthy (Rockwell College/Munster)
Conor McEllin (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Luke McGrath (St Michael’s College/Leinster)
Ryan Murphy (Presentation Brothers Cork/Munster)
Andrew Murphy (St Michael’s College/Leinster)
Philip O’Dwyer (Cistercian College Roscrea/Connacht)
Cian O’Halloran (Christian Brothers Cork/Munster)
Stuart Olding (Belfast Royal Academy/Ulster)
Jack O’Neil (Castleknock College/Leinster)
Mark Roche (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Luke Satchwell (The King’s Hospital/Leinster)
Rory Scholes (Campbell College/Ulster)
Brian Scott (Presentation Brothers Cork/Munster)
Jerry Sexton (St Mary’s College/Leinster)
Christopher Taylor (Wallace High School/Ulster)
Gavin Thornbury (Blackrock College/Leinster)

Under 18 Club Squad
Liam Bourke (Navan/Leinster)
Kevin Burke (New Ross/Leinster)
Kieran Butler (New Ross/Leinster)
Adam Byrne (Naas/Leinster)
George Cullen (Exiles)
Stephen Dalton (Exiles)
Thomas Daly (Carlow/Leinster)
Jamie Dever (Westport/Connacht)
Ultan Dilane (Tralee/Munster)
Peter Dooley (Birr/Leinster)
Conor Fitzgibbon (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Tom Flynn (Exiles)
Cronan Gleeson (Nenagh/Munster)
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Nathan Higgins (Exiles)
Conor Joyce (Exiles)
Akhlaque Khan (Navan/Leinster)
Jamie Kind (Sundays Well/Munster)
Jack Kingston (Sundays Well/Munster)
Jay Malcolm (Malone/Ulster)
Eoghan Masterson (Portlaoise/Leinster)
James McConnor (Dundalk/Leinster)
George McGuigan (Exiles)
Sean O’Brien (Galwegians/Connacht)
David O’Connell (Old Christians/Munster)
Shane O’Leary (Scarriff/Munster)
David Panter (Exiles)
Lee Steenson (Dromore/Ulster)
Eoin Stynes (Carlow/Leinster)
Cillian Walsh (Killarney/Munster)

Under 19 Squad
Callum Boland (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Shane Buckley (Garryowen/Munster)
Luke Cahill (Rockwell/Munster)
Jack Carty (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Jordan Coghlan (Clongowes Wood College/Leinster)
Jack Conan (St. Gerards School/Leinster)
Aaron Conneelly (Corinthians/Connacht)
Mark Corballis (St. Michaels/Leinster)
Barry Daly (Gonzaga/Leinster)
Brian Du Toit (The Kings Hospital School/Leinster)
Conor Finn (Cistercian College, Roscrea/Connacht)
Tadgh Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster)
Charles Gallagher (Campbell College/Ulster)
Conor Gilsenan (Clongowes Wood College/Leinster)
JJ Hanrahan (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Diarmuid Higgins (Gallen Community College/Connacht)
Ryan Jablonski (London Irish/ASSE/Exiles)
Conor Kindregan (Monivea/Connacht)
Shane Layden (Carrick on Shannon/Connacht)
Kieran Marmion (UWIC/Kirkham/Exiles)
Cathal Marsh (Bective Rangers/Leinster)
Kyle McCall (Ballynahinch/Ulster)
Des Merry (Clontarf/Leinster)
Brian Moylett (Landsdowne/Connacht)
Johnny Murphy (Banbridge/Ulster)
Stephen Murphy (Gonzaga/Leinster)
Peter Nelson (Royal School Dungannon/Ulster)
Sean O’Connell (Exiles)
Alan O’Connor (Institute of Education, Leeson Street/Leinster)
Darren O’Shea (Crosshaven/Cork Constitution/Munster)
Garrett O’Suilleabluian (UCC/Leinster)
Peter Reilly (Lansdowne/Castlenock/Leinster)
Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)
Conor Spence (Queens University/Ulster)
Charlie Simpson (Newport/Ulster)

O’Gara signs new 2 year contract with IRFU

Posted on Nov 19, 2010 in Irish Rugby

The Irish Rugby Football Union has announced the signing of another international player with the news that Ronan O’Gara has committed to a new Ireland international contract that will see him playing in Ireland for a further two seasons up to 2013.

Following the recent announcement of Donncha O’Callaghan signing a new contract, O’Gara’s decision to stay in Ireland and play with Munster is further good news as the IRFU continue to look to retain players in the provincial teams.

Similar to his Munster colleague O’Callaghan, O’Gara’s career has seen him become the most capped player for Ireland and only the third player in Irish Rugby history to reach 100 caps.  He has won five triple crowns, one RBS Six Nations Championship and a Grand Slam in 2009 as well as two Heineken Cups with Munster during his career.  This has been augmented by his position as the record international points scorer for Ireland and also being selected for three British & Irish Lions tours.

Commenting on the announcement Ronan O’Gara said, “I am extremely happy with my new contract and to be continuing my career in Ireland.  I believe there is much more that I want and can achieve with both Ireland and Munster and am looking forward to concentrating on doing that over this season and the next two years.”

Ireland Coach Declan Kidney said, “I am delighted that Ronan has accepted a new two year contract and believe that his contribution to Irish and Munster Rugby will be as great as ever."

Munster Rugby Chief Executive Garrett Fitzgerald said, "The news that Ronan has extended his contract is extremely pleasing and comes at a very opportune time as we renew our Magners League campaign with the Heineken Cup to follow. Having a player of Ronan’s calibre and experience commit to Munster sends out a positive message and augers well for the future of Munster Rugby."

IRFU: slow ticket sales problem addressed

Posted on Nov 2, 2010 in Rugby News

In light of reduced demand for tickets across matches in the upcoming Guinness Series, the Irish Rugby Football Union has acknowledge that it made an error in its ticketing strategy and is giving a commitment that it will review its policy at the conclusion of the Guinness series.

At a meeting of the IRFU Management Committee it was decided that clubs will only be asked for immediate payment for tickets they have sold for the Guinness Series. The IRFU will work with the Branches and the Clubs to assess the situation regarding unsold tickets with a view to reaching an equitable solution to this difficult problem.

It was further agreed that ticket allocations to Branches and Clubs for the 2011 RBS Six Nations matches will not be affected by sales of tickets for the Guinness Series.

Commenting, Philip Browne, Chief Executive, IRFU said:

“There has been slower than expected demand for this autumn’s Guinness Series.  There are a number of elements impacting on this situation since the sales structure was drawn up in March 2010, including a further significant deterioration in the economic climate.”
“While the situation varies from club to club we are aware that a number of clubs are still in possession of tickets for matches. In the interests of Irish Rugby, the IRFU, the Branches and the Clubs, must continue to work hard to sell these tickets right up to kick-off for each match.

“The IRFU do not want to see clubs suffer financial hardship as a result of being unable to sell ticket packages for this Guinness Series and consequently will only seek immediate payment for tickets sold. On completion of the series, the IRFU will  work with the Branches and Clubs to assess the effect of the reduced demand for tickets.

“In addition the IRFU will undertake a comprehensive review of its entire ticket sales strategy, which includes price tiering, bundling and distribution channels. As part of this review, which will commence immediately on completion of the Guinness Series, it will consult widely with its stakeholders.”

Welshman Paul Pook steps down from Irish coaching staff

Posted on Oct 4, 2010 in Rugby News

The Irish Rugby Football Union has announced that the Ireland Team Strength and Conditioning Coach Paul Pook has decided to step down from the position due to personal reasons.

The Welsh native joined the Ireland coaching staff in 2008 with a renowned CV in the area of sports science and specifically rugby fitness having worked with the

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IRFU “Play Rugby” initiative launched

Posted on Sep 21, 2010 in Rugby News

Irish International Luke Fitzgerald was on hand today to launch the Irish Rugby Football Union Play Rugby programme that is intended to target increasing participation levels in primary schools across Ireland.

The Play Rugby programme contains classroom plans and teaching aids to assist teachers, coaches and parents involved in rugby at mini and primary school level. The programme consists of full service packs that are delivered to schools through the network of IRFU Provincial Branch Community Rugby Officers and allows teachers who have no experience of rugby to bring the game to the children in their classes.

Play Rugby provides teachers and school children with session plans, video clips on how to play fun games, individual Play Rugby certificates for all members of the class and game cards that set out individual exercises and fun games for children. The origins of the Play Rugby programme are based on research that found participating in sports can have a healthy developmental impact on young children. These activities can promote co-operative play, teamwork and good sportsmanship, a key component in the ethos of rugby.

The Play Rugby programme also contains additional information for schools and clubs who would like to set up a girls rugby programme. Women’s Rugby has been targeted as a specific growth area for the game in Ireland and comes directly following the success of the Ireland Women’s team who achieved their highest ever ranking at the recent Rugby World Cup with seventh place.

All schools, teachers and parents interested in the programme are encouraged to visit the website at www.irishrugby.ie/playrugby  to review details of the programme. In addition to this, Community Rugby Officers in each of the four provinces will also be delivering Play Rugby packs to schools and clubs throughout September and any school or club interested in the programme should contact the IRFU Provincial Branches in Connacht, Leinster, Munster or Ulster.

“Play Rugby is a great way to introduce beginners to the game and also to continue the interest of those kids who may already be involved”, said Ireland and Leinster star Luke Fitzgerald. “I have always believed that the best way to get young children playing the game is to make it fun and Play Rugby certainly does that. I think it is also really important that it makes it easy for teachers, coaches and parents to organise the children to play these non contact games and get them running around and exercising in a fun way. It is these sort of programmes that sow the seeds for children to have a healthy respect for keeping active and also to play rugby.”