6 Nations
Opportunity Knocks For Nash And Frawley
Of that U-20 squad from five years ago, Jordan Larmour, Ronan Kelleher, Caelan Doris, Gavin Coombes, Fineen Wycherley and Paul Boyle have gone on to play for the senior national team.
It has certainly been an eventful few weeks for Nash, from his try-scoring contribution to Emerging Ireland’s successful tour to South Africa, to his first Ireland call-up and the announcement of his Munster contract extension.
Back in a green jersey for the first time since his Ireland U-20 days, the national coaches liked what they saw from Nash in Bloemfontein but he was admittedly ‘shocked’ to be promoted to the senior squad.
He will always remember the time he found out he had made the cut for the November Tests. He was in a shop getting fitted for his Munster suit when one of his team-mates told him to check his email.
“I was shocked, to be honest,” he explained. “I saw I was selected in the main squad and I was just delighted. I told my girlfriend (Ciara) straight away and she was actually crying in the store.
“I was telling her to relax! But it was great. My family are very proud of me, so I’m delighted now to just get going.”
Those closest to the 25-year-old Limerick native know how hard he has worked for this opportunity. He has toiled away through injury lay-offs and times when Munster selection has not gone his way with Keith Earls and Andrew Conway proving tough to budge.
He admits it was ‘kind of frustrating’ to not be able to put a run of games together under the previous Munster coaching ticket, although he did start against three of the South African sides and Leinster last season.
A dead leg prevented him from lining out against Leo Cullen’s men last Saturday, but he has been reintegrated into Ireland training this week and is clearly raring to go.
Commenting on how it has been at Munster and how beneficial the Emerging Ireland tour was for him, the Young Munster flyer said: “I felt like sometimes I was getting a bit of momentum and then I’d pick up a knock and it would set me back a bit or it would be a big game, so ‘Earlsie’ and ‘Bomber’ (Conway) would be picked.
“You’re trying to keep that momentum with you, even though I might have only played every four weeks. I wouldn’t get that much of a string of games.
“This year the lads have been out (injured) and, with Emerging Ireland as well, I’ve had a lot of games. Beside the two pre-season games, I have three or four games already which is real good.
I feel like I’ve been able to have a flow to my game and stay in it that way. I did have a good bit of self-belief that I did have the potential to get to Ireland.
“I just wondered when it would be or would I get the opportunity to represent Ireland or even get up to camp. With Emerging Ireland happening just a few weeks ago, my main thought was to just get into main camp.
“Try to make that a routine and then get your first cap. It came quicker than I thought it would but I am delighted.”
His rewarding experience with Emerging Ireland, and familiarity with seven of his Munster colleagues in camp and a number of former Ireland Under-20 team-mates, has helped Nash to quickly acclimatise.
For skilful Leinster back Frawley, this is his third senior camp. He was first involved for last November’s Autumn Nations Series and really made his mark during the summer tour, playing a key role in the final week win over the Māori All Blacks.
Having a close-up view for the historic series win in New Zealand has made him even hungrier for a Test debut, with the Skerries man possibly set to play for Ireland ‘A’ on Friday week before earning that coveted first cap against Fiji.
“We were only watching a video this morning of our time over in New Zealand and just all the special moments we had off the pitch after the Tests,” said Frawley, speaking on media day on Tuesday.
“I suppose when you’re part of it, and playing the Tests and winning the series it’s incredible and it just gives you that bit of hunger to be a part of it.
“I know, obviously, I played in two Māori games, but the Test games are the big ones that you want to throw the jersey on for. Hopefully this time around, third time lucky, we might put on the jersey for a Test game.”
Frawley’s ability to play at out-half, centre and full-back makes him a valuable asset. He has laughed off the nickname of ‘Swiss Army Frawley’, while being mindful that the utility back berth is a good fit for a player of his talents.
“Just do my best, whether it is playing the Ireland ‘A’ game and go from there, play well in that and maybe look at one of the Test games, Fiji or Australia (later next month).
“If the body is feeling good, back to Leinster, a few big games with them, European Cup and there’s also a Six Nations before that World Cup. There’s a lot of games coming up so it would be hard to pinpoint one position.
“It’s kind of the best of both worlds, isn’t it? It’s nice to have a position but also in the back of your mind you have a World Cup coming up and the versatility card can always benefit you in terms of selection for that.
“Look, I suppose I can’t be – I don’t know if too greedy is the word – but I’m happy to play minutes and that’s the main thing for me at the moment, I haven’t played a lot this season so far.
“It’s just about getting the minutes, whether that be at 10, 12 or 15, which are the three positions I’ve been playing over the last season or two.”
Frawley has praised the influence that Jonathan Sexton has on both Leinster and Ireland as the 37-year-old talisman begins his final twelve months as a professional player.
At 6ft 3in and over 15 stone, Frawley is certainly a player in the mould of Sexton. He is very much a contender to replace Sexton at out-half for province and country in the long-term, and is clearly enjoying learning from one of the best in the business.
“Johnny’s unreal. We’re so lucky to have him in Leinster and here (with Ireland), speaking for all the lads. Without knowing it, we’re actually learning a lot off him, you can see the way lads are playing is very similar to Johnny,” noted the 24-year-old.
“Picking up little things like holding the ball at the line, that last second that he does so well. But then he’ll also give you a lot of constructive criticism. He wants to get the best out of you.
“When lads are playing with Johnny they always bring their game to the next level because they understand the standard they are playing with as well. He’s brilliant to have.”
Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is delighted to announce the return of the ‘A’ Interprovincial Men’s Championship which will kick off next month.
The times and dates of the opening three rounds of the Championship before Christmas have been confirmed, with a similar points-scoring system as used in the URC. A Championship winner will be declared after the final round of matches in May and the IRFU will be commissioning a legacy trophy to mark the 150th anniversary celebrations.
Welcoming the news, IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys commented:
“We’re delighted to kick-start the Men’s ‘A’ Interprovincial Championship which will provide a host of players with a further means of developing in a meaningful competition. With the success of the Emerging Ireland Tours, coupled with the return of an ‘A’ international against England next year, it is vital that we continue to provide players at provincial and Club levels with opportunities to impress outside of the traditional URC and EPCR fixture windows.
“Discussions have been ongoing for some time to provide players with meaningful games and all four provinces are unanimously supportive of this competition. It is also great to see provinces taking matches around their local Clubs.
“It is anticipated that as the competition progresses over the coming seasons these fixtures won’t clash with Energia All-Ireland League fixtures for the most part, thus potentially also offering players from the Club game with an opportunity to impress.
“This competition will form another important part of the representative pathway from Energia AIL to URC levels for Academy players upwards over the coming seasons.”
The dates for the post-Christmas fixtures will be confirmed in due course. Ticket details will be confirmed via the respective provinces.
IRFU 150 Interprovincial ‘A’ Championship Fixtures:
Saturday, 16th November:
Connacht Eagles v Leinster ‘A’ (Creggs RFC, 1pm)
Friday, 22nd November:
Ulster ‘A’ v Connacht Eagles (Ballymacaran Park, 3pm), Leinster ‘A’ v Munster ‘A’ (Lakelands, 5pm)
Friday, 29th November:
Munster ‘A’ v Ulster ‘A’ (New Ormond Park, 3pm)
Friday, 20th December:
Ulster ‘A’ v Munster ‘A’ (tbc, 3pm)
Saturday, 21st December:
Leinster ‘A’ v Connacht Eagles (Ollie Campbell Park, 2pm)
Weekend of 28/29 December:
Connacht Eagles v Ulster ‘A’ (tbc), Munster ‘A’ v Leinster ‘A’ (tbc)
Weekend of 9/10 May:
Connacht Eagles v Munster ‘A’ (tbc), Leinster ‘A’ v Ulster ‘A’ (tbc)
Weekend of 16/17 May:
Munster ‘A’ v Connacht Eagles (tbc), Ulster ‘A’ v Leinster ‘A’ (tbc)
Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography
The Emerging Ireland team to face the Cheetahs in the final game of the three-match series in Bloemfontein on Wednesday evening (kick off 6pm Irish time, 7pm local time) has been named.
Leinster’s James Culhane will lead the team and he forms a new back-row alongside Harry Sheridan and Sean Edogbo, who makes his first start of the tour having come on as a replacement in the 29-24 win over Western Force on Sunday afternoon. Former Ireland Under-20 captain Evan O’Connell locks down with Darragh Murray, who featured in the opening 36-24 victory over the Pumas, with Alex Usanov named in the front row alongside hooker Stephen Smyth and Jack Aungier.
Darragh Murray of Emerging Ireland scores his sides second try – Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Darren Stewart
In the backline, Sam Prendergast starts his third game of the tour at out-half and he will be partnered by Cormac Foley, who featured as a second half replacements against the Australian Super Rugby side last time out. Connacht’s Hugh Gavin forms a midfield partnership with Hugh Cooney, with Ulster’s Zac Ward named in an exciting back tree alongside the returning Ben O’Connor at full-back and Andrew Osborne who moves to the right wing.
Munster loosehead prop George Hadden, who was called up to the squad last weekend, is set to make his first appearance after being named on the bench alongside Conor O’Tighearnaigh and Alex Soroka who started Sunday’s win. Hadden’s provincial team-mate Danny Sheahan provides cover once more at hooker, while Scott Wilson and Charlie Tector are also named on the bench for the Toyota Stadium clash alongside out-half Jack Murphy.
Looking ahead to the game, Emerging Ireland Head Coach Simon Easterby said: “When we set out at the beginning of our pre-camp in Dublin, we knew about the challenge of facing three sides in a week and we knew that every player in the group would have the opportunity to play his part. To a man each player has given his all so far and we are aiming to finish off the series with another positive performance on Wednesday.
The Cheetahs are a fiercely proud and strong side and it should be a lively game with a vocal home support behind them. It has been a fruitful past few weeks to date and we have learned a lot. While our performances haven’t been perfect, the players have embraced the challenge and played some brilliant rugby at times. The action has come thick and fast and we know that we have to be clinical in our execution. We will need to go up another level on Wednesday to get the performance we want and hopefully finish the tour on a high.”
Wednesday’s game will be broadcast once more on IrishRugby+ – click here.
Emerging Ireland (v The Cheetahs, Wednesday, October 9, 7pm local time, 6pm Irish time)
15: Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster)
14: Andrew Osborne (Naas RFC/Leinster)
13: Hugh Cooney (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
12: Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
11: Zac Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster/Ireland Sevens)
10: Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
9: Cormac Foley (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
1: Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
2: Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
3: Jack Aungier (Clontarf FC/Connacht)
4: Evan O’Connell (Young Munster RFC/Munster)
5: Darragh Murray (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
6: Harry Sheridan (Dublin University FC/Ulster)
7: Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster)
8: James Culhane (UCD RFC/Leinster) (captain)
Replacements:
16: Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
17: George Hadden (Garryowen FC/Munster)
18: Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)
19: Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
20: Alex Soroka (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
21: Matthew Devine (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
22: Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Ulster)
23: Charlie Tector (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography
Following Emerging Ireland’s 29-24 victory over Western Force in Bloemfontein on Sunday three players, Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Sean O’Brien (Munster) and Jude Postlethwaite (Ulster) will return to their provinces.
The trio will leave South Africa on Monday afternoon and will be available for selection for their respective URC fixtures this weekend.
The squad will visit Heidedal Township this afternoon and will conclude the three-match series on Wednesday evening against The Cheetahs (kick off 7pm local, 6pm Irish time). That match will be live on irishrugby+
Watch the full match back here on irishrugby+
Check out the highlights from the win against Western Force below.
Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography
IRFU Announces Return Of ‘A’ Interprovincial Championship
Squad Update | Munster Prepare For All Blacks XV At Thomond
