Brian Haugh Looks Forward To Under 20 Interpros

Munster Rugby caught up with Academy player and U20 scrum half Brian Haugh this week during ‘Munster Talent Camp’ training in Rockwell College.

A native of Doonbeg, Co Clare, Haugh was a key player on the Rockwell winning side of the Munster Senior Schools Cup in 2011 and is currently playing his club rugby with Limerick side Young Munster.

Haugh, along with fellow Munster interprovincial scrum-halves had a unique opportunity last Tuesday to meet with Munster senior players Cathal Sheridan and Conor Murray on the training pitch in Rockwell as part of the ‘Talent Camp’ position specific module.

He identified the importance of working with players that have excelled in their field and benefitted from the information both senior scrum-halves had to offer.

“Its great to talk to someone with so much experience, they can pick up on small little points in areas where you may be going wrong with your technique and give you new ideas on how to improve”.

He also paid tribute to backs coach and Munster Elite Player Development Officer Greig Oliver “as an ex international scrum half (Scotland) Greig’s coaching has been invaluable and working with him over the last few weeks has been very beneficial for the backs.

In his fourth week of the five week Talent Camp programme Haugh complimented the new initiative ahead of the interprovincial series.

“Preparation is a lot better this year being involved in the camp, even from the team bonding point of view. Players spend three intense days together which is important as we are from different counties throughout the province and now have a great opportunity to get to know each other as well as we can”.

“We’re like a family living together on a short term basis. We eat, sleep and train together and there is a definite sense of unity among the squad. There is a good buzz around the camp and a really good attitude from all the 20s players. You couldn’t ask for anything else from them, they are all putting their heads down and working hard which is exactly what you want and is what you need coming up to the interpros and we hope that it will pay off.”

The Munster U20 squad will kick off their interprovincial campaign against Connacht on Friday 7th September in Musgrave Park, Cork and Haugh feels his squad will be well prepared for the challenge.

“We’re going to Manchester in a couple of weeks to take on the Sale Sharks. This will be one of four pre season friendlies for us along with a home game against Italy so hopefully we will have plenty of match practice before the series begins”.

Munster U20 Interpro Fixtures

Munster v Connacht, Friday, 7th Sept., Musgrave Park, ko 7.30pm
Leinster v Munster, Friday, 14th Sept., Donnybrook, ko 7.30pm
Munster v Ulster, Friday, 21st Sept., Musgrave Park, ko 7.30pm

Munster U20 Friendly Matches

Munster v Connacht, Thursday, 16th August, Annacotty, ko 4.30pm
Munster v Italy, Tuesday, 21st August, Musgrave Park, ko 7.30pm
Sale Sharks v Munster, Monday, 27th August, Manchester, 7.30pm
Munster v UL Bohs/Bruff, Friday, 31st August, venue & ko TBC