Munster U20s Set For JWC Departure

We profile the eight Munster U20s players who have been included in the Ireland U20s Junior World Championship (JWC) Squad that depart for New Zealand next Tuesday.

Initially nine Munster representatives were selected however illness has forced the late withdrawal of Dolphin second row John Madigan. Munster Rugby Elite Player Development Office Greig Oliver will also travel to New Zealand as assistant coach to Mike Ruddock.

Oliver spoke about the disappointment he felt for John Madigan missing out, saying, “He’s had a wretched season with illness and injury.

“We’re just hoping he can get himself right going forward. It’s a disappointment for the squad as well because he brings another dimension to our plans.”

Of the eight players travelling, five represented Ireland in this year’s U20 Six NationsMeet the players…

Jack O’Donoghue

The number 8 made his British and Irish Cup debut at the age of 18 against Rotherham Titans in December 2012 after featuring in the Munster U20s interprovincial series. The Waterford man is a product of the Munster Youth's system having previously captained his club side Waterpark to an U17 Munster title in 2011 and the year previous was part of the All Ireland winning Waterpark U17 side.

In April 2012 he captained the Ireland U18 Club side against France and England and featured for the Ireland U19s in 2013 before getting a call up to the U20s squad for the IRB Junior World Championship in France where he started against Fiji.

After captaining Munster U20s for the Interprovincial series in September 2013, he went on to start in 4 games of the 2014 Six Nations Championship picking up the man of the match award against Scotland, scoring 2 tries. Jack is named in his second Ireland U20 JWC squad and advances on to his 3^rd year of the academy for season 14/15.

Rory Burke

Prop Rory Burke was educated at Christian Brothers College, Cork and plays his club rugby for Cork Con, featuring in the club’s U20s All Ireland and Bateman Cup winning teams. Burke played for the Munster U19s in 2012/13 and progressed to the U20s side the following year.

The prop has represented Ireland at U19 level and was called into the Irish under-age National Training Camp in October 2013. Subsequently he played in all of Ireland’s matches of the U20 Six Nations campaign in 2014 and made his British and Irish Cup debut at quarter-final stage against Leinster A in Donnybrook in April. He will move on to year 2 of the academy programme for season 14/15.

Alex Wootton

Originally from Stockport, he lined out for Ireland at the 2013 Junior World Championship in France. A product of the Northampton Saints academy, Wootton went to England’s Sedbergh School, once attended by former England captain Will Carling and Gloucester winger James Simpson-Daniel.

The winger has featured for the Munster U20s this season and plays his club rugby with Garryowen. He made his B&I Cup debut for Munster A against Plymouth Albion at the Waterford RSC in December 2013 and featured in Ireland’s U20 Six Nations campaign, 2014. Alex is also named in his second IRB Junior World Championship Squad. Like Burke, he moves in to 2^nd year of the academy for season 14/15.

Max Abbot

One of 7 players introduced to the Munster Rugby Greencore Academy for season 2014/15, 19 year old Max Abbot has impressed at both schools and club level. Having attended Presentation Brothers College, Cork he played Munster U18 Schools and represented Munster U20s for two consecutive seasons. The hooker played in all 5 of Ireland’s U20 Six Nations games this year and most recently was part of Cork Con’s All Ireland U20 and Bateman Cup winning teams.

He made his British and Irish Cup debut at 18 years of age when coming on for Munster A against Stirling County in October 2013.

Ryan Foley

Foley is another Cork Con representative and inclusion in the 2014 Junior World Cup Squad is just the latest on an impressive list of honours for the former Christians player. A product of Munster U18 Schools, Munster U19s and U20s, he’s played at senior club level, featuring in Cork Con’s Bateman Cup final victory over UCD as well as playing in their triumphant U20 All Ireland campaign this season.

The scrum-half was also most recently announced as a new member of the Munster Rugby Greencore Academy.

Darragh Moloney

Second row Darragh Moloney is the final Cork Con representative in the travelling squad. He represented Ireland U19s in 2013 and played at Munster U20 level for the 2013/14 interprovincial campaign. Following a lengthy time on the side lines due to injury, the former Christians player’s impressive performances in the fore mentioned All Ireland U20 campaign were enough to secure him inclusion in the 2014 JWC squad.

Included in the Munster Rugby Greencore Academy for season 2014/15.

Dan Goggin

The starting outside centre for a Munster Development XV against Russian outfit Enisei-STM in April, 19-year-old Goggin has seen his career flourish over the last season. The former St. Munchins and UL Bohs man played his club rugby with Young Munster this year and has represented Munster at U19 and U20 level.

The Limerick man made his British and Irish Cup debut against Plymouth Albion in December 2013 and is another player to have featured in all 5 of Ireland U20s Six Nations games in 2014.

He joins the Munster Rugby Greencore Academy for season 2014/15.

Diarmaid Dee

Having helped guide his school Crescent College to the Munster Schools Senior Cup title in March 2013, the back row is now a Young Munster team mate of Dan Goggin and currently in the Munster Rugby sub-academy.

A former Limerick minor hurler, Dee has played for Munster U18 Schools, Munster U19s and Munster U20s. He also lined out for the Munster Development XV that faced Russian outfit Enisei-STM in Musgrave Park in April.

The current Munster U20s Coach and Ireland U20s Assistant Coach Greig Oliver is delighted with the province’s representation.

“Munster have good representation alright. In a good few of the inter-pros we just felt we weren’t competitive enough. We took Leinster to the wire which was great, I think it’s reflective on their representation, the boys are coming through there.”

Ireland open their Pool B campaign against France on Monday, June 2nd in the QBE Stadium, Auckland. KO 5:35pm local time.