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

The post Leinster Add Seven Ireland U20 Stars To Academy For New Season appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Niall Comerford (UCD RFC), Joe McCarthy (DUFC), John McKee (Old Belvedere RFC), Sean O’Brien (UCD RFC), Max O’Reilly (DUFC), Andrew Smith (Clontarf FC) and Alex Soroka (Clontarf FC) are the players in question.

All seven players were named in the Ireland Under 20 squad for the 2020 Six Nations competition which is currently suspended with two rounds to go and with Ireland on top with three wins from three.

Noel McNamara, the Leinster Rugby Academy Manager said

“As with any year we are delighted to see a group of young men move on to Senior contracts and we wish those five players the very best of luck.

“Then it’s time to get excited for the next group coming in and seeing how they develop over the coming seasons.

“This morning’s announcement is a hugely special moment for the players and the culmination of a lot of hard work over many years. Of course, the reality is that the hard work is only beginning, but it is important to mark this achievement and for them and their clubs, schools, and families to take pride in what this next step means.

“It is also important to highlight the role played by the coaching team based in the Ken Wall Centre of Excellence and their contribution in developing these players.

“We are very much looking forward to continuing our support to the incoming players in the next stage of their journey with Leinster.”

With the IRFU confirming last week that the four provincial Academies will return to training on 20th July, McNamara reflected on the few weeks ahead as players started to look towards next season.

“There will be challenges of course but the set-up in UCD and down in Energia Park in the Ken Wall Centre of Excellence is ready to welcome Academy staff and players in time and safely for the start of training.

“Huge credit must go to the team behind the scenes from an operations point of view and also the medical and the S&C side of things.

“Trojan work from everyone but Dave Fagan and Joe McGinley in particular from an S&C perspective and then from Darragh Curley and Mark Kenneally on the medical side of things. No stone has been left unturned over the last few months as we build towards the 20th.

“Everyone recognises that this is a unique situation trying to finish one season, before moving on to another and everyone at Leinster Rugby is committed to playing our part in that going ahead successfully and hopefully the positive news continues over the coming weeks.”

Leinster Rugby has already confirmed that five players have been promoted from the Leinster Academy system and will start the 2020/21 season as part of the Senior squad and today’s confirmation brings the total number of players in the Academy to 18.

Leinster Rugby – Senior Contracts 2020/21:

Ryan Baird (7 caps)
Harry Byrne (9 caps)
Jack Dunne (7 caps)
Tommy O’Brien (3 caps)
Dan Sheehan (0 caps)

Leinster Rugby Academy – Year Three 2020/21:

David Hawkshaw
Michael Milne (8 caps)
Aaron O’Sullivan
Patrick Patterson (3 caps)
Michael Silvester

Leinster Rugby Academy – Year Two 2020/21:

Tom Clarkson
Brian Deeny
Cormac Foley
Martin Moloney
Charlie Ryan
Liam Turner

Leinster Rugby Academy – Year One 2020/21:

Niall Comerford
Joe McCarthy
John McKee
Sean O’Brien
Max O’Reilly
Andrew Smith
Alex Soroka

The post Leinster Rugby Academy players for 2020/21 confirmed appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.