Lee Barron, Jack Boyle, Chris Cosgrave, Mark Hernan, Temi Lasisi, Ben Murphy and Rob Russell have all joined as Year One players.

Rob Russell was a Grand Slam winner with the national U20 side in 2019 while the other six have all played for the team in the last two campaigns.

Ben Murphy is the son of current Ireland U20 boss Richie Murphy.

Speaking at the announcement of the 2021/22 Academy squad, Leinster Rugby Head of Rugby Operations, Guy Easterby, said: “We are delighted, as a province, to announce our Academy intake for the season ahead.

The seven new additions will add considerably to the group that we already have within our Academy system and they should all take inspiration from the 15 Academy, pathway and age-grade players that represented our senior team in the PRO14 last season.

“It is also important, at this point, to congratulate the players who have been promoted from our Academy to join our senior squad for the coming season and wish them the very best of luck as they continue their careers with us.

“For our new Academy intake, this announcement is a hugely special moment and a significant step in their rugby journeys. We shouldn’t underestimate the commitment they have made as individuals to get to this point, it is the culmination of a huge amount of hard work and dedication.

“The reality is though that their next challenge starts now and we look forward to doing everything we can to help these young men realise their ambitions on the pitch and continue to grow as people off the pitch.”

He added: “We cannot let today pass without also acknowledging the significant roles that their families, clubs and schools have played in their journeys so far.

“They should all be very proud of the part they have played in supporting them and we, as a province, understand the importance of that continued connection as the players progress through their development within the Leinster system.

“Finally, it is also important to acknowledge the work done on the ground throughout the province by our own domestic rugby staff and by all our staff in the Ken Wall Centre Of Excellence in Energia Park.

“Without the support of all these stakeholders, none of these players would be where they are today. Everyone at Leinster Rugby wish Jack, Lee, Chris, Mark, Temi, Ben and Rob every success.”

LEINSTER RUGBY – SENIOR CONTRACTS 2021/22:

• Thomas Clarkson (10 caps)
• David Hawkshaw (8 caps)
• Michael Milne (16 caps)

LEINSTER RUGBY ACADEMY – YEAR THREE 2021/22:

• Brian Deeny
• Cormac Foley (1 cap)
• Martin Moloney (1 cap)
• Charlie Ryan
• Liam Turner (6 caps)

LEINSTER RUGBY ACADEMY – YEAR TWO 2021/22:

• Niall Comerford
• Marcus Hanan (2 caps)
• Joe McCarthy
• John McKee
• Jamie Osborne (6 caps)
• Sean O’Brien (2 caps)
• Max O’Reilly (7 caps)
• Andrew Smith (2 caps)
• Alex Soroka (2 caps)

LEINSTER RUGBY ACADEMY – YEAR ONE 2021/22:

• Jack Boyle
• Lee Barron
• Chris Cosgrave
• Mark Hernan
• Temi Lasisi
• Ben Murphy
• Rob Russell

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Illo represented Old Wesley RFC and has played at underage level at Leinster Rugby, before going on to feature at tighthead in all five of Ireland’s U20 Six Nations games this summer.

The 20-year-old has signed a two-year deal and will link up with the Connacht squad next week as they continue their pre-season preparations.

Speaking on his newest signing, Head Coach Andy Friend says:

“Sam’s arrival to Connacht is another boost for us ahead of the new season. He was one of Ireland’s standout performers in the U20 Six Nations and has a very bright future ahead of him.

I’m confident that at Connacht he will be able to take his game to the next level and give us further options in the front row.”

Connacht have announced the signing of Ireland U-20s tighthead Sam Illo on a two-year deal.

The @OldWesleyRFC
Man is an excellent prospect and was outstanding in the recent Six Nations campaign. pic.twitter.com/oEHTUXQLNE

— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) July 30, 2021

Playing in four of the five u20 Six Nations matches this year, he starred scoring one try. He is a physical player standing at 6’1” and weighing 118kg, he will be a big presence in Connacht next year.

Sam Illo has shown his excitement for joining the team, he said:
“I’m over the moon to be joining Connacht Rugby and I’d like to thank Andy and all the coaches for giving me this opportunity.

I’m especially looking forward to linking up with Colm Tucker after working closely with him while with the Ireland U20s. To sign my first pro contract is a dream come true and I can’t wait to get started with the rest of the squad.”

To read more about Connacht rugby news during this summer and their Heineken Cup draw, click here.

Great try by Sam Illo @OldWesleyRFC to give Ireland u20s a great lead in the 2nd half of their 6 nations match. pic.twitter.com/lQqzclsnms

— Andy Miller (@AndyMiller0901) June 19, 2021

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The lock, who is listed as a player for Dublin University FC, was awarded the opportunity to enter the Kingspan bubble in Ulster during the year and has not looked back since.

The 19-year-old has been able to train with the seniors and play for Ulster ‘A’ throughout the season.

“I don’t think I actually would have been able to complete my degree and pass, thank god, for this year if it had not have been for coronavirus,” said Sheridan.

From November onwards, Sheridan took training sessions with the senior squad at Ulster and enjoyed every minute of them.

The lock singled out Ian Madigan as a welcoming figure in the squad.

He said that Madigan offered advice during the sessions and on a one-on-one basis when he was with the seniors.

“I think he’s one of those guys who’s always going to look to bring on the young guys first and go to that extra step just to make us feel welcome.”

Sheridan earned his opportunity with Richie Murphy’s Irish U20 side after an impressive season and has been a consistent name on the teamsheet.

He has built up a good rapport with the players in the squad, including his second-row partner against Italy, Mark Morrissey.

He praised all three Ireland U20 coaches – Murphy, ‘Collie’ Tucker and Denis Leamy – after experiencing their expertise first-hand in the camp.

The side has looked solid defensively, excluding some discipline issues against England, and their set-pieces and attack have been very impressive for the majority of the U20 Six Nations Championship thus far.

Sheridan believes they can learn from the errors that they made against the unbeaten English side and that they will improve against Italy on Wednesday.

“We’ve got a game plan for Italy and we are looking to execute it to the best of our ability.”

The game will kick off at 2 pm and will be shown live on RTÉ 2.

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The Ulsterman suffered an injury thirty minutes into his debut in the opening round of the U20 Six Nations Championship against Scotland.

The Ulsterman loved every second of his short-lived introduction to the U20s and is raring to go on Wednesday.

“Any opportunity to play in this team [is worth it],” said the fly-half.

Humphreys is a man who wants to carve his own path rather than attempt to replicate his father David Humphreys’ playing style.

The 20-year-old remembers going to Ravenhill to watch his father play at a young age but wants people to remember him for the player he is, not the one his father was.

His father is respectful of this and allows him to make his own mould.

“He lets me try and play my own game and do my own things.”

Humphreys comes into the side in place of Leinster’s Tim Corkery who he said performed well in his absence.

The Ulster prospect added that the squad all just love playing with each other and playing for Ireland.

He will be part of an Ulster dominant backline that includes fullback Jamie Osborne and scrum-half Nathan Doak.

On Doak, the first five-eighth commended his performances throughout the campaign so far.

“He’s a great player to play with – he makes everyone around him feel very comfortable.”

Doak and his fellow Ulster prospect are fans of big moments and will look to create them when they can but Humphrey says that their focus is solely on how they can implement their game plan against a strong Italian side.

Massimo Brunelli’s side has impressed Humphreys with their slick attacking rugby and their physicality.

However, he feels that Ireland can get past them as long as they play to the best of their abilities.

You can watch the game live on RTÉ 2 with kick-off at 2 pm.

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His Ireland side will face an Italian side that trounced Scotland with dazzling and expansive attacking rugby.

Murphy has been impressed by what he has seen from Massimo Brunello’s side so far in the 2021 U20 Six Nations Championship.

“They’ve got two very good wingers, they’ve got a real offloading threat all the way through their team,” said Murphy.

“They’re playing a very expansive offloading game.”

The head coach also noted that the side boasts the perennial Italian strength in their scrum.

The likes of Sergio Parisse and Martin Castrogiovanni are among the Italian rugby legends that were in the senior pack in recent years.

The trend of great Italian forwards could continue with this batch of U20s but Murphy is focused on his side’s performance.

“We’re very much trying to get back to what we believe our standards are.”

Nine changes have been made to the side that began the loss to England last Thursday.

Daniel Okeke makes his first start after impressing Murphy and the other coaches with his growth in recent weeks.

His boss stated that he can run 100m in just 12 seconds and weighs around 130 kg.

“He’s a lot to learn in and around the game…but when he gets his hand on the ball, that’s when you see what a dynamic athlete he is.”

Alex Soroka and captain Alex Kendellen will join the number eight in the back row.

Their ever-presence in the side underlines their importance to this crop of U20 internationals.

The likes of lock Harry Sheridan, scrum-half Nathan Doak and fullback Jamie Osborne also feature again for the side.

“Those guys [who are ever-present in the side] have been the guys who have stood up within the group and filled leadership roles.”

Kendellen’s work rate on the pitch and Soroka’s experience in the lineout is something the squad can be motivated by.

The trio of Soroka, Kendellen and Okeke will provide the team with a “dynamic back row”, according to Murphy.

Behind them at fly-half is James Humphreys, who makes his return to the side in an Ulster-dominant backline.

Murphy praised the player and son of David Humphreys’ on-field intelligence and noted that he is trusted by the squad.

“James is a great player, intelligent rugby player, thinks about the game, understands how we’re trying to play. He makes the team feel comfortable with his decision-making.”

Murphy added that the team are a tight bunch and love playing for Ireland and each other.

They will want to improve on their performance against England and their head coach has the confidence that they will do so.

“We have a squad of players here that are all very capable of playing at this level.”

The game will kick off at 2 pm and will be available to watch on RTÉ 2.

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Leamy praised the side’s work all over the pitch to keep Scotland at bay.

However, he wished that they did not concede to Scotland, even if it was only once.

“I think, you know, we could have been a little bit better there on that particular try…[but for the] first day out, we [are] happy, and we understand that [Wales] is a different challenge and that there is a lot more growth in us,” Leamy said.

However, the momentum of the win is hugely important for this U20 side, as Leamy added.

The defence coach says it has allowed the side to kick on and move forward.

“Going back to my time in Six Nations squads; getting that first win, getting out of the blocks and that feel-good factor. You know, you are away from home – you are in hotels, you are cooped up a little bit – it just helps so much. It’s so important.”

The former Ireland flanker commended the front row and the back row for their U20 Six Nations opener performances.

Leamy stated that the starting front row against Scotland put in a massive shift while the back row could be seen everywhere.

Regardless, some changes have been made to the side facing Wales tonight with six new faces coming into the starting lineup, including two new props.

Leamy says that this is down to fatigue amongst other things.

“It’s about being sensible and about protecting players as well and using the quality that we have.”

The starting back row from the Scotland game is all on the team sheet but Alex Soroka will be at lock forward tonight.

Leamy noted the versatility of the Leinster academy product and when asked if he saw similarities to Ireland international Tadhg Beirne’s versatility, he responded positively.

The 39-year-old listed some traits that he felt underlined Soroka’s flexibility in the pack.

“Alex is similar – he’s very athletic, he’s a very good footballer, he’s a real point of difference as a jumper, he’s very strong in that lineout in both attack and defence.”

The coach loves his new role with the U20s and says it takes him back to when he was playing.

He cited the likes of Noel McNamara and Trevor Hogan as figures that he has learned a lot from since he was appointed as Leinster’s Elite Player Development Officer in 2019.

Leamy has taken what he has learned from them and his role at Leinster into the Ireland camp in Cardiff.

He encourages players to have the same mentality he did on the pitch but to carry out their tackles in a fair manner.

“We certainly do like players who have an edge and channel it in the right way.”

As for the Welsh side they face tonight, Leamy singled out one player who could make a difference for Ioan Cunningham’s team.

Carwyn Tuipolotu has caught the eye of the 57-time Ireland international ahead of the game tonight.

His stature and carrying is something that Leamy feels that his defence needs to shut down, but the Tipperary native also made note of Wales’ system.

“They can go to width, they can go through you, they can go over you so it’s a challenge, but it’s been a brilliant week and it’s been really, really good trying to prep for this challenge and it has been very, very enjoyable – all-in.”

The defence coach clarified that the whole camp has been an enjoyable experience thus far in his opinion.

Leamy feels lucky to be over in Cardiff with the squad after everything that has happened in the world.

He labelled the atmosphere as “light” and said that the squad have even gone for ice creams.

However, he noted that the personnel in the camp know why they are there.

“We’re not here for a party, we’re here to get the job done.”

The game against Wales kicks off at 8:00 pm and will be available to watch on RTÉ One.

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Six changes have been made to the Ireland side who beat Scotland 31-7 last Saturday.

Prop Sam Illo is rested after a stellar performance, with Mark Donnelly coming in in his place.

Leinster’s Alex Soroka is moved up to lock as Donncha Byrne gets a starting berth on the blindside.

Two of last week’s standout performers, Oisin McCormack and Captain Alex Kendellen keep their places in the starting XV.

Nathan Doak and Tim Corkery take the nine and 10 jerseys respectfully, replacing Ulster’s Conor McKee and James Humphreys.

The Connacht centre pairing of Cathal Forde and Shane Jennings starts once again while one change is made to the back three.

St. Michael’s College graduate Chris Cosgrave comes into the side to play alongside Jamie Osborne and Ben Moxham.

Illo, McKee and others are available from the bench.

The kick-off is at 8 pm with coverage starting on RTÉ One at 7:30 pm.

Backs

15. Jamie Osborne (Naas CBS/Naas RFC/Leinster)
14. Ben Moxham (Larne High School/Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
13. Shane Jennings (Garbally College/Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
12. Cathal Forde (Colaiste Iognaid/Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
11. Chris Cosgrave (St Michael’s College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
10. Tim Corkery (St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny/UCD RFC/Leinster)
9. Nathan Doak (Wallace High School/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)

Forwards

1. Jack Boyle (St Michael’s College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
2. Ronan Loughnane (Cistercian College Roscrea/UCD RFC/Leinster)
3. Mark Donnelly (CBC Cork/Garryowen RFC/Munster)
4. Alex Soroka (Belvedere College/Clontarf RFC/Leinster)
5. Harry Sheridan (Sullivan Upper School/Dublin University FC/Ulster)
6. Donnacha Byrne (Summerhill College/Sligo RFC/Connacht)
7. Oisin McCormack (Garbally College/Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
8. Alex Kendellen (PBC Cork/UCC RFC/Munster)(Captain)

Replacements

16. Eoin de Buitléar (Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiáran/An Ghaeltacht/Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
17. George Saunderson (Sullivan Upper School/Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
18. Sam Illo (Wesley College/Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
19. Mark Morrissey (Blackrock College/UCD RFC/Leinster)
20. Reuben Crothers (Wallace High School/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
21. Conor McKee (Sullivan Upper School/Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
22. Ben Carson (Wallace High School/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
23. Jude Postlethwaite (RBAI/Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
24. Fearghail O’Donoghue (Cashel Community School/Cashel RFC/Munster)
25. Daniel Okeke (Ard Scoil Ris/Shannon RFC/Munster)
26. Conor Rankin (Campbell College Belfast/Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster).

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The Irish U20 side begins the Championship against Scotland U20 in a game which kicks off at 7.15pm.

The Ireland and Scotland U20 sides line out as follows:

Ireland U20 Team

15. Oran McNulty, 14. Ethan McIlroy, 13. Dan Kelly, 12. Hayden Hyde, 11. Andrew Smith, 10. Jack Crowley, 9. Lewis Finlay.

1. Charlie Ward, 2. Tom Stewart, 3. Thomas Clarkson, 4. Brian Deeny, 5. Thomas Ahern, 6. Seán O’Brien, 7. Mark Hernan, 8. David McCann (captain).

Replacements:

16. John McKee, 17. Ciaran Ryan, 18. Ryan McMahon, 19. Joe McCarthy, 20. Alex Soroka, 21. Ben Murphy, 22. Tim Corkery, 23. Luis Faria.

Scotland U20 Team:

15. Ollie Smith, 14. Jacob Henry, 13. Matt Currie, 12. Robbie McCallum, 11. Jack Blain, 10. Nathan Chamberlain, 9. Roan Frostwick.

1. Alex Maxwell, 2. Ewan Ashman, 3. Mak Wilson, 4. Kieran Watt, 5. Cameron Henderson, 6. Jack Hill, 7. Connor Boyle, 8. Rory Darge (captain).

Replacements:

16. Rory Jackson, 17. George Breeze, 18. Thomas Lambert, 19. Jamie Campbell, 20. Gregor Brown, 21. Kyle McGhie, 22. Cameron Scott, 23. Rufus McLean.

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