Premiership Teams U23's

[fivepointer]

Interesting and handy look at the young players who have already featured and those that may be likely to make a mark this season.
Lots of good young players in England.
Just how many will get sustained opportunities is the perennial issue.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/premiers ... -brightest

[Oakboy]

Yes, I wonder how we compare with the SH teams in terms of converting youth to 1st Team standard. I like watching the younger age group internationals but I see a player that impresses only to hardly hear of the guy ever again. I thought Ibitoye was sensational, for example. If he doesn't break through it will be a mystery.

[Tigersman]

Trouble with having talent spread too thin and with little national control over clubs.

[Stom]

Yes, I wonder how we compare with the SH teams in terms of converting youth to 1st Team standard. I like watching the younger age group internationals but I see a player that impresses only to hardly hear of the guy ever again. I thought Ibitoye was sensational, for example. If he doesn't break through it will be a mystery.

Ibitoye is young. And he got a fair few minutes last season... And will get more this season, injury permitting.

Young players do come through, but not every u20 star has what it takes at 19. Some need to work on their basics quite a lot, especially in defence where there is a big step up.

Murley stepped up and looked to the Manor born at 19. Ibitoye stepped up and looked electric but in need of a lot of polish...

Others are just so good at a young age you ignore their deficits. Think Smith or George Ford beforehand.

[Puja]

Yes, I wonder how we compare with the SH teams in terms of converting youth to 1st Team standard. I like watching the younger age group internationals but I see a player that impresses only to hardly hear of the guy ever again. I thought Ibitoye was sensational, for example. If he doesn't break through it will be a mystery.

Sometimes players just don't kick on, and that's universal. Maybe it's due to them not working as hard or they've peaked very early compared to their peers. If you look at the list of World Junior Player of the Years, there's some names that you have gone on to be stars and others that really haven't: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_R ... f_the_Year

Puja

[fivepointer]

England representation at u18 or u20 may be as good as it gets for some players. From this years u20's there are bound to be players who dont push on.
Playing opportunities really matter though.
The London Irish team named have 6 former u20's in it - Parton, Loader, Hassell-Collins, Brophy-Clews, Brand and Atkins.
Now these are obviously talented lads but just how much game time will they get this season?

*Had to check on T B-C, who seems to have been around a while but is just 22.

[twitchy]

Age group stuff is weird like people have said. If you think that nobody noticed that dombrandt was any good until he got to uni.

[Timbo]

I think it’s a misnomer that Eng u20’s don’t get opportunities to push through to senior rugby. Pretty sure stats show that only the French have as many 18-21 year olds playing at the top level. And the England squad is about 80% u20 graduates.

[twitchy]

Age grade rugby in england is straight up about public schools and an "old school tie" network of "scouts". That is not to say that a good player from a different back ground will be intentionally ignored.