The IQ Rugby Under-18s recently took part in the ten-day IRFU U-18 Interprovincial Festival at the University of Limerick. We hear from coaches and players about their path to a green jersey and their experience at the tournament.
A squad of 26 young players from England travelled to the festival at the University of Limerick last month. All of them are Irish-qualified – by birth, through their parents or a grandparent.
Proudly representing the IQ Rugby Programme and the IRFU Exiles, this squad of players has come through a series of Talent ID days and training camps to be selected for the Festival.
They enjoyed the campus setting in UL that included development modules on and off the pitch, as well as a chance to meet Munster’s 22-year-old centre Sam Arnold, who came through the Exiles system in recent seasons.
Speaking about the festival, Joe Lydon, IQ Rugby’s Head of International Talent ID, said: “To get the chance to compete at this level and in this environment has been superb. There’s a passion and a belief and willingness to get into the Exiles programme and be part of the network and the family over there.
“There’s a lot of pride involved for these boys in being Irish-qualified and having the opportunity to show that and develop and to give pride to their families. One of the greatest things we’ve seen this week is those parents who have come across to Ireland, and also the grandparents being here. It has been wonderful to see.”
October Development Days
IQ Rugby has just announced a series of development days in October for young players who have a passion to play for Ireland. Players born in 2003 and 2004 can attend days in Leeds, Nottingham, Maidenhead and Bristol, while 2002-born players have the chance to attend in Reading, Nottingham and Leeds.
For full list of days and to register for the IQ Rugby programme, click here.
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