Profiles: Munster’s Rising U20 Stars

Clubs and schools from across Munster have been rewarded for their outstanding work this month with 10 players from the province selected for the Ireland U20s squad for the 6 Nations.

With the assistance of the Munster Rugby Development Department, there has been no shortage of promising young players coming through the system and getting the rewards for their efforts.

John Foley, Joey Conway, Gavin Coombes, Fineen Wycherley, Calvin Nash, Jack Lyons, Liam Coombes, Peadar Collins, Conor Fitzgerald and Colm Hogan were all included.

A number of players narrowly missed out on selection and may yet be called into the squad later in the tournament.

Three of the 10 Munster players included are members of the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy – Joey Conway, Gavin Coombes and Calvin Nash – with the remaining seven in the sub-Academy.

Player Profiles

Fineen Wycherley – Lock (Academy)
First taking to the field for Bantry Bay RFC, the West Cork native attended Cistercian College Roscrea where he won a Leinster Schools Senior Cup title in 2015 and reached the final again in 2016. In what proved to be a big season for the second rower, 2015/16 saw him claim the U19 Interprovincial title with Munster and line out for Munster A against Ulster A at Naas RFC in April. Wycherley played twice for the Munster A team earlier this month and is now at Young Munster.

Gavin Coombes – Back row (Academy)
A one-time Munster U19 teammate of Wycherley, Coombes first plied his trade with Skibbereen RFC before lining out as captain for Bandon Grammar in the Munster Schools Senior Cup when they reached the quarter-final last year. Later representing Ireland at U19, the number 8's representative career started with Munster U18 Schools where he won the 2014/15 Interprovincial title alongside his now academy colleagues Bill Johnston, Calvin Nash and John Foley. The first player from Skibbereen to earn a place in the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy.

John Foley – Back row (Academy)
A native of Co. Clare, Foley played his underage rugby with UL Bohs prior to packing down for St Munchin's in the Munster Schools Senior Cup. Impressing at age grade level, he played for both province and country at U18 Schools, claiming Interprovincial honours in 2014/15. Progressing steadily through the ranks, Foley is another who helped Munster U20s to last season's Interprovincial title. Now with Shannon RFC, Foley was included in the Ireland U20 squad for last season's 6 Nations and made his Munster debut against the Maori All Blacks last year.

Colm Hogan – Full-back (sub-Academy)
A star for Glenstal Abbey in his Schools rugby days, the elusive runner has been involved in Munster representative sides for a number of years. Captained the Munster U20/Development side in this season's Interpro campaign and plays senior rugby with Dublin University.

Calvin Nash – Wing/Centre (sub-Academy)
While attending Crescent College Comprehensive, Nash was a member of the Munster U18 Schools that had Interprovincial success in 2014/15. On the international front he represented Ireland U18 Schools and U19s before enjoying further interprovincial success as part of the 2015/16 Munster U20s side. Nash has made a big impression with Munster A in the British and Irish Cup this season. Now playing his club rugby with Young Munster.

Joey Conway – Prop (sub-Academy)
A loosehead prop from Castleconnell who initially played with UL Bohemians before going on to represent Castletroy College in the Munster Schools Senior and Junior Cup. Conway won Interpro titles with the Munster U18s and U19s and also featured for the Munster Combined U20 & Development side earlier this season. Now playing senior rugby with UL Bohs.

Jack Lyons – Scrum-half (sub-Academy)
Limerick-born scrum-half who represented Crescent College Comp with distinction in his school years. Lyons a beaten finalist in the 2013 Schools Junior Cup competition and played Senior Cup rugby for the school in 2015 and 2016. Has represented Munster at underage level and was selected for the Ireland U18 schools team in 2015. Now playing his club rugby with Young Munster.

Liam Coombes – Utility back (sub-Academy)
A product of Skibereen RFC and cousins with Gavin Coombes, utility back Liam Coombes was the out-half for the Ireland U18 Clubs side in 2015. He switched to schools rugby for the Leaving Certificate cycle and played in the Schools Senior Cup winning PBC team last season. Has gone on to play for the Munster U19s and U20/Development side. Now playing his club rugby with Garryowen.

Peadar Collins – Centre (sub-Academy)
A driving force and captain of the Ardscoil Rís team that were beaten in the 2015 Schools Senior Cup final. Collins has represented Munster at underage level and is no stranger to the national set-up having also lined out for the Ireland U19s. He currently plays in the All Ireland League with Garryowen.

Conor Fitzgerald – Out-half (sub-Academy)
Another man who played a major role in Ardscoil's run to the 2015 Schools Senior Cup final. Out-half Fitzgerald has played for Munster's underage sides and is a former Limerick minor hurler. His brother is Academy player Stephen Fitzgerald and he currently plays his club rugby with Shannon RFC.

Ireland U20 Six Nations Fixtures
Friday 3rd February 2017
Scotland v Ireland, 8.30pm, Broadwood Stadium, Glasgow

Friday 10th February 2017
Italy v Ireland, 7pm (6pm GMT), Stadio Enrico Chersoni, Prato

Friday 24th February 2017
Ireland v France, 8pm, Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin

Saturday 11th March 2017
Wales v Ireland, 6.30pm, Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay, North Wales

Friday 17th March 2017
Ireland v England, 6pm, Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin

Ireland U20 Management
Head Coach – Nigel Carolan
Assistant Coach – Peter Malone
Scrum Coach – Conor Twomey
Team Manager – Hendrik Kruger