IRFU provincial and national age grade coaches - Under-18s, Under-19s and Under-20s - and IRFU elite player development staff from the four provinces gathered recently to review their experiences, discuss challenges and align closer to ensure the development of more effective elite players across the IRFU Elite Player Pathway.

Young Exiles Move To Provincial Academy Placements

It has been a good post-season period for two young Exiles as they prepare to embark on the furthering of their rugby careers in Ireland for the 2011/12 campaign

Kieran Marmion is taking up the offer of an Academy place with Connacht. Kieran was the Ireland Under-20s' starting scrum half throughout this month's IRB Junior World Championship in Italy, and has represented the Exiles at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-20 levels.

He is currently a student at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff, that hot-bed of rugby development. His father, Mick Marmion, was a well-known centre with Saracens in the 1980s.

Conor Joyce is similarly taking up his Academy contract offer from Ulster. Conor is the current Ireland Under-18 Clubs and Exiles Under-18 blindside flanker, and played in the recent historic win for the Exiles U-20s over the USA Eagles U-20s.

He is currently completing his studies at Solihull School and turned down an Academy contract offer from Leicester Tigers to go to Ireland.

We wish both of them very well indeed for their future careers, both inside and outside rugby.

Prop Mike Ross reflected on Leinster's Amlin Challenge Cup final success at the RDS, saying: "There's less hype about it but it's a good competition to win. Many teams have won this and kicked on the next year. Hopefully with the few lads, like Jack McGrath who made his first appearance in a major final, the experience will stand them in good stead for next year."

Speaking in the aftermath of Leinster's Amlin Challenge Cup final win over Stade Francais, flanker Shane Jennings said: "There was obviously disappointment losing the three league finals. It's a huge focus for us (next week's PRO12 final). We know Ulster are a very good side, they are favourites and they're fresh and we're in for a huge game."

General Enquiries	info@IrishRugby.ie
Ticket Enquiries	ticketqueries@IrishRugby.ie

General Enquiries	info@IrishRugby.ie
Ticket Enquiries	ticketqueries@IrishRugby.ie

Connacht

Leinster

Munster

Ulster

Age Grade

Running Your Club

Anti Doping

Tickets

About Us

Referees

Rugby Development

RBS Six Nations

Heineken Cup

RaboDirect PRO12

Guinness Series

Charitable Trust

About Us

Newsletter

Contact Us

Young Exiles Move To Provincial Academy Placements

Connacht Rugby

Leinster Rugby

Munster Rugby

Ulster Rugby

Contact Us