Colin Deane Set For Munster U18 Schools Challenge

We catch up with Munster Under 18 Schools second row Colin Deane who is currently taking part in the Bank of Ireland Munster Rugby Talent Camp at Rockwell College.

Originally from Clonakilty, this is the West Cork man’s second year participating in the Talent Camp interpro preparations, having last year represented his province with the Munster U18 Clubs and has no doubt the intense training programme plays a huge role in the players’ preparations for representative rugby.

“The training we get here is phenomenal and it’s a fantastic opportunity for all the players to see what it takes to reach the next level.

“Our coaches, Fiach (O’Loughlin) and Ken (O’Connell), are both hugely experienced and very much encourage you to be responsible and take the onus on yourself to put in the work and constantly strive for improvement.

“We’re in Rockwell from Wednesday to Friday and our schedule is pretty intense. The morning begins with monitoring to see how many hours you slept, how well you slept, what mood your in or how sore your body is.

“After our team meeting its out on the pitch for training and units before lunch. A gym session follows in the afternoon and then we have pool session for our recovery and maybe some foam rolling and stretching.

“We go home on Friday evening and spend the weekend taking it easy to get the body back in shape before our skills and gym sessions on Mondays at our centres.

“The three residential days are really intense because you’re non stop working and constantly trying to push the standards higher. You find out fairly quickly what it takes to reach your goal and how much work you have to put in to be the best you can be.

Having recently represented Bandon Grammar School in last season’s Munster Schools Senior Cup, Deane said the Munster Schools squad were familiar with each other pre Talent Camp but the experience in recent weeks has allowed them bond and come together as teammates.

“The talent camp has been a great way of getting to know the entire squad. I played against a good few of the lads in schools’ rugby so there were lots of familiar faces. There’s been great cohesion over the past few weeks, we get on really well and at the end of the day we are all very proud to get the chance to wear the same jersey and represent our province.

Commenting on his experience in playing representative rugby last year, Deane said it is very rewarding to challenge yourself and compete at the highest standard.

“It’s the pace you notice the most. Usually playing at club or schools level you have that split second to make a decision which you don’t have in representative rugby. It goes 100 miles an hour – its intense and physical so you have to be really up for it.

“It’s great to test yourself in that environment to see where you’re at and compare yourself to the best players in the country.

“As a squad we are really up for it and looking forward to the challenge.”

Munster U18 Schools will take on Italy U18s on Tuesday, 16th August at Thomond Park Stadium, ko 7pm in a pre season friendly.

Getting To Know Colin Deane

School: Bandon Grammar School (Going into Leaving Cert)

Age: 17

Position: Second Row

Hometown: Clonakilty

Favourite Food: Steak & Chips

Favourite TV programme: Suits

Favourite Film: Step Brothers

Favourite Actor/Actress: Will Ferrell

Most enjoyable holiday location: France

Favourite sport other than rugby: Shotput/Athletics

The sport you least like: Soccer

Person you would most like to meet: Richie McCaw

Hobbies: Sailing & Shooting

Where and when did you first play rugby: Clonakilty Under 7s

Biggest influence on rugby career: My Dad who coached me from U7s up to Under 10s

Best rugby memory: Playing Interprovincial rugby last year

Rugby player you admire most: Paul O’Connell

Rugby team you admire most: All Blacks

Sporting event you would most like to attend: Rugby World Cup Final

Three people you would invite to dinner: Will Ferrell, Richie McCaw and Mila Kunis

Place in the province you most like be/chill out: Inchydoney, Clonakilty

Have you any pre match rituals: I always have spaghetti bolognaise the night before a game

Favourite singer or band: Justin Bieber!

Interprovincial Fixtures 2016

Munster Combined U20 & Development Squad Fixtures

Friday, 2nd September, Munster Combined U20 & Development Squad v Connacht, Irish Independent Park, ko 7pm
Friday, 9th September, Munster Combined U20 & Development Squad v Ulster, Thomond Park, ko 7pm
Friday, 16th September, Leinster v Munster Combined U20 & Development Squad, venue TBC

Munster Under 19 Fixtures

Saturday, 3rd September, Munster Under 19s v Connacht, Thomond Park Stadium, ko 2.30pm
Saturday, 10th September, Munster Under 19s v Ulster, CIT, ko 3pm
Saturday, 17th September, Leinster Under 19s v Munster Under 19s

Munster Under 18 Clubs Fixtures

Friday, 19^th August, Munster U18 Clubs v Exiles, Irish Independent Park, ko 7pm
Saturday, 3rd September, Ulster U18 Clubs v Munster U18 Clubs
Sunday, 11th September, Munster Under 18 Clubs v Leinster, Thomond Park, ko 2.30pm
Saturday, 17th September, Connacht Under 18 Clubs v Munster Under 18 Clubs

Munster U18 Schools Fixtures

Friday, 26th August, Ulster v Munster Under 18 Schools, Perry Park, ko 4.00pm
Tuesday, 30th August, Munster Under 18 Schools v Leinster, Thomond Park Stadium, ko 2.30pm
Saturday, 10th September, Munster Under 18 Schools v Ulster, CIT, ko 1pm
Saturday, 24th September, Leinster Under 18 Schools v Munster Under 18 Schools, Donnybrook 3pm