We have a TH prop in each year of the academy, 2 of whom were ahead of this lad in this year's Ireland U20 setup, so he'd have been an extremely left-field pick.

Thought we might look at the lad who came in to start at TH for the U20s (a google says Vakh Abdaladze).

Looks like he'd need some skills work but a massive man who has all of the physical attributes to play at the top level. He's a Dub and not picked up for their academy so you'd hope he's one of these guys that comes back into the pro ranks after a few years of eating opposition front rows in the AIL

It always makes me smile when a first post has a personal element to it. My favourite in the past was Murph13 who slated and bashed Pat Lam - Murph13 nowhere to be seen in the last two years

Spell it out or move on.

In reality, there are probably loads of players one could consider as left out.

Only so many places to go around.

very cryptic. Who exactly are you talking about?

Thoughts about the new academy players?? Surprised not to see one certain name not there. I would have assumed Lam and Nigel would have heard if not swept him already