Barry Coughlan
Regardless of the outcome of Ireland’s unfortunate Junior World Cup defeat to England on Friday, the coach Mike Ruddock has reason to be proud of his team’s efforts in the tournament and hopes his team’s participation in the semi finals can still be achieved.
But with Ruddock busily planning for Ireland’s third pool fixture against Italy tomorrow – which they must win and also hope England beat South Africa for his side to have a chance of securing that that coveted semi final spot - holders New Zealand will be mulling over their fate, having lost for the first time ever at this level to Wales.
They’re coached by new Munster guru Rob Penney who may have one eye on Ireland as well as on his own team.
If he does take a specific interest it will probably be to check out youngsters JJ Hanrahan, Niall Scannell and James Rael particularly, all of whom are likely to feature in his senior squad sometime in the future.
Indeed, having watched Hanrahan, the out half might well be fast tracked. He has prospered in this Irish squad following the forced withdrawal of Paddy Jackson, who was withdrawn on instructions from the IRFU following representations from Ulster.
Hanrahan, whose most recent rugby has been played in the centre, warmed to the opportunity given him at number ten; he was absolutely superb in Ireland’s sensational victory over South Africa, and exceptional too despite Ireland’s second half collapse to England.
Without second guessing how he gets on against Italy, it would appear to be great news for Munster on the basis that Ian Keatley and Scott Deasy have already been blooded well in the hope of producing a successor to legendary out half Ronan O’Gara.
Keatley is at an age when he should already have laid down a marker, Deasy has only recently been given reasonable game time in the number ten jersey and has accomplished himself well, but the addition of Hanrahan as an out half option will surely be of considerable value to Penney and Munster in the months ahead.
A year ago you wondered where Munster might be going were going in terms of producing out halves; now it looks as if they have decent resources.
On top of that, given the emergence of both Scannell and Rael, on top of Mike Sherry’s brilliant season plus the continued availability of Damian Varley, Munster are well stocked at number two as well.
Next on the agenda? Finding and fast-tracking international quality home grown props in the mould of Leinster's Cian Healy and Mike Ross!
Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/c3h-Exqk158/post.aspx
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