Irish Exiles Scrum-Half Factory

The Exiles are hoping they may be in the early days of discovering a production line of scrum-halves for Ireland. Currently all of the Ireland training squads contain an Exiles scrum-half.

Senior Squad – Guy Easterby (Rotherham)
U21’s – Robbie Shaw (London Wasps)
U19’s – Peter Phelan (Newcastle Falcons)
U18’s – Stuart Bruce (Reading Oratory School)
Easterby and Shaw both chose Ireland despite approaches from England.
Guy came up through the Exiles U21 side into the Ireland system and, like all of these players, continued to play his club rugby in England. He was at one point selected for England A’ but declined the invitation and has of course gone on to represent Ireland at senior level.

Robbie first played for Ireland at U19 level a year young and while still at Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe. He joined London Wasps on a professional contract as an 18 year old and played for their championship winning U21 side. At this point he declined invitations to join the England U19 squad and represented Ireland at the U19 FIRA World Cup in Italy. His first outing for Wasps 1st team was as a 19 year old against Montferrand. This season he declined an invitation to join the England U21 squad and won his first U21 cap against France last week.

Peter Phelan played for Irelands Youth side in last seasons Four Nations Tournament while still at Durham Grammar School. This season he has joined the Newcastle Falcons Academy and has been selected in the U19’s squad to play Wales.

Stuart Bruce is still at the Oratory School in Reading and is the newest addition to the line of Exiles scrum halfs. He is in the Youth squad and hopes to follow Shaw and Phelan and play in the Four Nations Youth Tournament.

Another possible addition to the production line is Daragh Coghlan the current England U19 scrum half. Although he has played for the Exiles Daragh has decided to stay with England while still at school. The Exiles committee are hopeful that this position will change when Daragh leaves school.