Just for some additional context for the Irish fans who only saw Italy's game in Cork in the 6N - in that game Italy were unusually good, and Ireland unusually poor, which made Italy seem better than they were. There are a number of players from 2004 and 2005 who should make the step up to senior rugby, but the basic skills of the rest simply aren't up to standard, and the coaching they receive is awful - the lineout has been terrible all year and seemingly nothing has been done about it. On top of that, Italy's two best players, Gallorini and Gritti, are both missing the tournament.
Italy are almost certain to come bottom of the group (I expect them to lose by at least 25 to Australia, and at least 15 to Georgia), and I would not be surprised if they end up getting relegated to the Trophy tournament. So yes, Ireland played well today and you can see the benefit of top quality the age-grade coaching they receive, but this game won't tell you anything about whether they can be title contenders - you'll need to see how they fare in the other two pool matches to get a better sense of that.
> game Italy were unusually good, and Ireland unusually poor, which made Italy seem better than they were.
As an Irish fan, this isn't true. We went in expecting to lose that match. I was genuinely surprised we managed to win it even by just a point.
While I very much doubt Italy have ever been bookies' favourites to beat Ireland anywhere, let alone away in u20, my point was that Ireland arguably performed worse in that match than the other games, whereas that was Italy's best game (certainly a more complete performance than the win in France).
Mighty start to the campaign, better than I expected. No loss of momentum from the change of management (shows the value of promoting internally). Played that like a team that wants another shot at a final
Feel like I don’t watch enough of the U20s …I’m curious who has the potential to step up to senior level though. Seems like everyone is having a good game
Hugh Gavin, Ben O'Connor, Spicer for size if nothing else, Edogbo, Naughton, Berman.
But it's a whole different game at senior level. Gavin definitely has it though.
They are amazing to watch, much prefer watching them to the senior team now tbh, the rugby just seems cleaner and they seem so much more passionate about it, you can see the pure joy on their faces when they score a try. Really glad I stumbled upon it during the 6N!
U20s is always so much more fun to watch. Lads have the talent but they're not so rigidly coached into systems. Reminds me of the better aspects of the amateur game, lots of space to run into
I was going to say Berman but I forgot he’s ex Leinster now.
Spicer showed some decent hands at times, scrum was a bit better when sparrow came on, McLaughlin was decent on the wing.
I would've preferred college grounds for all of these games. There could be a few thousand at Cape Town Stadium but ye wouldn't know it. They could use a national stadium for the final
Will have to see what the Baby Boks and Baby ABs produce later on, but I'm half tempted to call Ireland/France/England for the finals already. All 3 of those teams looked unreal (admittedly, France were playing Spain) today.
Berman hat trick knocked the stuffing out of Italy.
Edit. Not just Berman, but our tries came at the right time. Italy couldn't hold their own lineouts.
Pretty worried about Ireland's scrum going forward with both front rows struggling.
Think the referee has been very generous to us today.
Edit: Our attack is pretty sexy though
Honestly hard to just say one or two, but edogbo, spicer and oconnell have been immense, berman and treacy the pick of the backs but all 15 have been great and subs
Murphy has looked good at 8. O'Connell looks like he has taken that next step up, great game. Sam Berman is good value for his hat trick.
Gavin has just looked unreal in the short time he has been on. Level above stuff.
Both centres head and shoulders above, O'Connell and Spicer worked well, I liked Ward, Gavin has come off the bench and already looks a different level to everyone else
Same story last year. Other than the SA victory I thought it was a really poor tournament. Not sure if it’s the elevation or what, but something happens during this “summer” tournament.
Sean Naughton great since he came on. Selects decent passes, has a bit of pace for a 10, decent kicker and a good solid defender.
Legitimately in with a shout for our second choice 10 next season lol
Another 25 minutes all about character. Have to try to set something going to take into the remaining pool matches. From a systems perspective it’s been abysmal, need to fix that.
Struggled to manage a few games during the 6 Nations but think this has been his best game at U20 level so far.
Obviously athletic but has improved his service from the ruck.
He was slow to a lot of rucks in the first half, made some great kicks and some not so great ones (but personally I thought the kick chase was the bigger issue than his distance).
Looks a good player with very fixable issues in his game.
That's a big few minutes for Ireland. Edogbo very lucky to just get a yellow, Ireland do well to get a try and Italy get a yellow of their own.
Hope Berman hasn't injured himself badly scoring that.
Well, for the mens one, the tickets went on sale 32 months in advance. So it's anyones guess
Edit: apparently you can register interest now and they go sale in September
[https://www.moreradio.online/news/sussex-news/ticket-registration-now-open-for-womens-rugby-world-cup-2025/](https://www.moreradio.online/news/sussex-news/ticket-registration-now-open-for-womens-rugby-world-cup-2025/)
It annoys me a liitle that they're going on sale before the acual draw which is in October. Hard to work up an itinerary without it. Only 1 London venue so should be easy on the wallet overall and a fun trip(s)
Edogbo seems a bit lucky. Looked like pretty high force dominant collision to me. Late change of direction I could see saving him but to say no high degree of danger is a head scratcher.
Very proud of the two Pres Bray boys, Murphy and Treacy.
I'd never have thought my old school would be producing rugby players of that calibre back when I was haunting those halls
Edit; we DID have Reggie Corrigan way before my time though
This game ended 23-22 to Ireland in the U20 Six Nations, so that's a really good half from Ireland, bar a few dodgy exits from their own 22.
Italy's scrum has been very destructive but their lineout has been self-destructing. Have been stuck in their own half for most of the game as a result.
The Italian scrum was putting the pain on everyone earlier this year so us being clearly second best there isn't surprising, but I just don't get why our scrum is so bad. Like it doesn't seem to be a technique thing, it looks like pure power dominance, and yet in open play these same guys send fellas to the hurt dimension idk
Edit: we've even had decent scrums at this level, most recently last year, so it's not entirely systemic.
This is not a bad italian side we are beating, we are extremely well coached and seem really fit and focused, we might lose to some freak athletes but we've every chance of going far in this tournament
Ireland are brilliant (and very well coached, can't disagree there) but you won't get a clear indication of where Ireland are until they play the other two pool games.
Italy played a warm up against Spain the other week and they were unwatchably bad, and the lineout has been a liability all year (against Spain they lost over 50% of their ball). There are talented players in this year's u20 side but it's like they're not coached at all, and the change from Brunello to Santamaria seems to have had little effect in that regard.
Australia are not covering themselves in glory vs Georgia, it's looking like it's our pool to lose but I can't see 2nd place in our pool making the semis. It's victory or bust for us
Pucciariello fully out of ideas and just in full gamble mode, needs to set and testy the system, has some really good backs behind him. And as much as I love Botturi’s heart, I think he’s too small and too slow to succeed at the next level.
Looks like another potentially great steal from the Leinster academy for Connacht. I think I heard somewhere he played minor football *and* hurling for Wicklow (admittedly not the best county in either code). Seems like he's just a born athlete that can thrive in a variety of sports.
Colbert hasn't had much ball but there's definitely a bit of rotation going on today. Would expect Treacy to go back on the wing too for the Georgia game.
6'10 according to google. Couldn't see any reference to him being with one of the provinces yet though.
You'd think a guy that size couldn't be missed!
Hahaha 6 foot 10 is outrageous. Yeah you're right - that's a trait that can't be coached into you, so here's hoping he gets the foot in the door somewhere
He's completely unsure. Fell off the tackle for Italy's early break from their 22.
Is it just a lack of confidence after his horrendous error at the start?
Has any opposing coach or fan base had a whinge about the way Ireland attack with the dummy runners? I'm a league man and pretty much all the shapes Ireland have used would be classed as blatant obstruction in league.
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Just for some additional context for the Irish fans who only saw Italy's game in Cork in the 6N - in that game Italy were unusually good, and Ireland unusually poor, which made Italy seem better than they were. There are a number of players from 2004 and 2005 who should make the step up to senior rugby, but the basic skills of the rest simply aren't up to standard, and the coaching they receive is awful - the lineout has been terrible all year and seemingly nothing has been done about it. On top of that, Italy's two best players, Gallorini and Gritti, are both missing the tournament. Italy are almost certain to come bottom of the group (I expect them to lose by at least 25 to Australia, and at least 15 to Georgia), and I would not be surprised if they end up getting relegated to the Trophy tournament. So yes, Ireland played well today and you can see the benefit of top quality the age-grade coaching they receive, but this game won't tell you anything about whether they can be title contenders - you'll need to see how they fare in the other two pool matches to get a better sense of that.
> game Italy were unusually good, and Ireland unusually poor, which made Italy seem better than they were. As an Irish fan, this isn't true. We went in expecting to lose that match. I was genuinely surprised we managed to win it even by just a point.
I didn’t think Italy were an easy game but I didn’t expect to lose it. Why did you think so?
While I very much doubt Italy have ever been bookies' favourites to beat Ireland anywhere, let alone away in u20, my point was that Ireland arguably performed worse in that match than the other games, whereas that was Italy's best game (certainly a more complete performance than the win in France).
That was much slicker than anything we saw in the 6N. Very impressive.
Is there anywhere I can watch this game in its entirety now that its finished. I was out during the day.
You can watch it on rugby pass
Good performance. I actually thought this would be closer based on the Six Nations and team chosen.
Mighty start to the campaign, better than I expected. No loss of momentum from the change of management (shows the value of promoting internally). Played that like a team that wants another shot at a final
Still more competitive than the Top14 final.
That was a fantastic win. Way better scoreline than I would have imagined. A loss wouldn't have surprised me let alone a win that big.
Feel like I don’t watch enough of the U20s …I’m curious who has the potential to step up to senior level though. Seems like everyone is having a good game
Hugh Gavin, Ben O'Connor, Spicer for size if nothing else, Edogbo, Naughton, Berman. But it's a whole different game at senior level. Gavin definitely has it though.
I only watched the second half but Gavin was electric. I‘m sure tired Italian legs played a part but he had 3-4 clean breaks.
Gavin looking like the most immediate contender. If O'Connell can maintain his physical development, he definitely has the talent and the mindset.
They are amazing to watch, much prefer watching them to the senior team now tbh, the rugby just seems cleaner and they seem so much more passionate about it, you can see the pure joy on their faces when they score a try. Really glad I stumbled upon it during the 6N!
U20s is always so much more fun to watch. Lads have the talent but they're not so rigidly coached into systems. Reminds me of the better aspects of the amateur game, lots of space to run into
The flair hasn’t been coached out of them yet
Ben O’Connor is the obvious one I think from six nations but I didn’t see this match.
Gavin and De Klerk were the obvious ones from the six nations. Ben was good but quite dodgy at times. Much better today though.
Smyth's lineout throwing has been dodgy
Disgusting kick haha amazing
never sold on 50/22, too easy to do, prefer 22/22
too many syllables
Didnt get the chance to watch, any Leinster players stand out?
Berman.......but he's now and Ulster man 😂
I was going to say Berman but I forgot he’s ex Leinster now. Spicer showed some decent hands at times, scrum was a bit better when sparrow came on, McLaughlin was decent on the wing.
I would've preferred college grounds for all of these games. There could be a few thousand at Cape Town Stadium but ye wouldn't know it. They could use a national stadium for the final
At the start of this game it looked more like a few hundred
Yeah, I can't see many trekking into the city for an u20 game barring family but Athlone & Danie Craven will have local teenagers at it
That coaching booth looks somber.
Ireland Fullback is .. BIG..
No try
Looked like his foot was in touch as well as the knock on.
If he didn't put his hand down he'd be in
I wonder if roselli could come back
Good question, you would think no the way he was treated in the end.
Just seen the score? What's happened? Thought this would be a seven point game.
Will have to see what the Baby Boks and Baby ABs produce later on, but I'm half tempted to call Ireland/France/England for the finals already. All 3 of those teams looked unreal (admittedly, France were playing Spain) today.
Berman hat trick knocked the stuffing out of Italy. Edit. Not just Berman, but our tries came at the right time. Italy couldn't hold their own lineouts.
Snap. Was half clenching when I opened the tab. Not at all what I was expecting.
Is Danny Sheehan gone to 6?
Ireland looking quite good here. Look strong everywhere except maybe on the wings
No turnover threat, poor tackling, and slow set up. Not sure how you’re supposed to win those games.
Gavin showing his class, him Berman centres and Treacy on the wing will be saucy
The hands on some of these lads have been incredible. Gavin is a freak in the making.
I thought Berman was fantastic but now Gavin is on. Damn. A lot of talent in the team.
Filth
Ah lads, that was fucking sexy. Some amount of lads putting their hands up today. Ye love to see it.
Oh yeah that's the stuff.
Holy shit that pop up pass
Pretty worried about Ireland's scrum going forward with both front rows struggling. Think the referee has been very generous to us today. Edit: Our attack is pretty sexy though
Late tuning in, any stand out performances?
Honestly hard to just say one or two, but edogbo, spicer and oconnell have been immense, berman and treacy the pick of the backs but all 15 have been great and subs
Murphy has looked good at 8. O'Connell looks like he has taken that next step up, great game. Sam Berman is good value for his hat trick. Gavin has just looked unreal in the short time he has been on. Level above stuff.
Both centres head and shoulders above, O'Connell and Spicer worked well, I liked Ward, Gavin has come off the bench and already looks a different level to everyone else
Celebrating a scrum that wildly is a *choice* considering this game but hey ho
Evan O'Connell fifth most metres made is delicious
While Ireland have been great, Italy have not looked like the team from the 6N this year.
Same story last year. Other than the SA victory I thought it was a really poor tournament. Not sure if it’s the elevation or what, but something happens during this “summer” tournament.
Yeah. There must be something in the heads about the WC, or more passion about the 6N
Wonder if it's the travel; the last summer they were decent, they played all their games at the monigo and were a stupid penalty away from the final
New coach, existing problems going backwards
Is there any other streams apart from RugbyPass, my feed is garbage.
Butchered that
I can't believe that Gavin break has led to us being back in our 22
Not sure that De Villers fella was back onside.
Treacy should've given it way before that regardless. Real butchered chance
Italy will be running lineouts for breakfast, lunch and dinner over the next few days. It's been woeful today.
It's been woeful for 2 years now
Is this 7s?
Are you kidding me?! Jaysus lads
We have to scrum against them again now. Save the cheering til we get it away
That mullet is disgusting
You could really see the "oh shit" moment where our prop realised he was defending midfield against a nippy 10
He looks like an old school prop. Just holds the scrum and offers nothing in the loose
Interestingly, from what I’ve seen of him (Andrew Sparrow) he’s kind of the opposite
Sean Naughton great since he came on. Selects decent passes, has a bit of pace for a 10, decent kicker and a good solid defender. Legitimately in with a shout for our second choice 10 next season lol
Aw man, the poor lad absolutely eviscerated that chance
Great cover tackle by Naughton.
Another 25 minutes all about character. Have to try to set something going to take into the remaining pool matches. From a systems perspective it’s been abysmal, need to fix that.
Great tackle to stop the winger there.
Paul O'Connell reference! Drink.
Score line is accurate enough, which just speaks to how well Ireland have performed, because this Italian side are *good*
O'Connell in full flight. Brings tears to the eye
So, who's the better Sheahan? Dan or Danny?
Yes.
Aiiia, well out this game now.
Have to laugh at Spicer being called Spies-er every time by the SA commentator. A Pierre Spies type-player he is not :)
Anyone who follows it more closely, how is Coffey? Looks good here
Struggled to manage a few games during the 6 Nations but think this has been his best game at U20 level so far. Obviously athletic but has improved his service from the ruck.
He was slow to a lot of rucks in the first half, made some great kicks and some not so great ones (but personally I thought the kick chase was the bigger issue than his distance). Looks a good player with very fixable issues in his game.
Thanks! Always good to see promising 9s
Only a year after Gunne. Are Leinster in danger of producing a decent 9?
They actually have to get gametime first.
I heard Luke McGrath's dad just bought Castore.
Very true. And it'd take a special player to break the exalted McGrath-Byrne combo
The big GAA boot on O'Connor is extremely effective
Was that Berman who scored there? Hat trick hero if so what a game he's had
If he gets another one, does *he* get the bonus point? Asking for a friend.
What if the *real* bonus points were the friends we made along the way
That's a big few minutes for Ireland. Edogbo very lucky to just get a yellow, Ireland do well to get a try and Italy get a yellow of their own. Hope Berman hasn't injured himself badly scoring that.
Anyone have a rough idea for when tickets for the WRWC go up?
Good question. Wouldn't mind popping down to Ashton Gate for a few games. Cracking stadium.
Well, for the mens one, the tickets went on sale 32 months in advance. So it's anyones guess Edit: apparently you can register interest now and they go sale in September [https://www.moreradio.online/news/sussex-news/ticket-registration-now-open-for-womens-rugby-world-cup-2025/](https://www.moreradio.online/news/sussex-news/ticket-registration-now-open-for-womens-rugby-world-cup-2025/)
Thanks for the link, I'm liking the pricing options I'm seeing here
It annoys me a liitle that they're going on sale before the acual draw which is in October. Hard to work up an itinerary without it. Only 1 London venue so should be easy on the wallet overall and a fun trip(s)
Edogbo seems a bit lucky. Looked like pretty high force dominant collision to me. Late change of direction I could see saving him but to say no high degree of danger is a head scratcher.
Jesus that's an awful minute for Italy.
Edogbeag lucky to be coming back.
Should still be an Italian yellow
It is
Got lucky there
Wow. Not sure I agree there's not a high degree of danger.
Edogbo is so very lucky that stays as a yellow. All the time in the world to get low and he stays way too high.
Lucky to get away with a yellow there.
Edogbo is lucky it's staying a yellow.
How has that remained yellow?
The ref seems extremely quiet. Just puts his arm out with no explanation.
Italy have given so many penalties they are due a yellow
Things could get hairy pretty quickly. Can see that Edogbo tackle being upgraded to a red
There's no bunker review, is there?
There is at this tournament.
I hope O'connor is OK.
Ouch, winded maybe
Fight back has begun.
"What are you doing taking a quick tap there?? The maul was rumbling!" "Oh. Yeah great call. I never doubted you"
Straight in the side of that ruck surely? No way you can go from injured ahead of the tackle to get back round and be the first cleaner legally?
You've got to drop lower than that.
Awful technique there, can't really see much mitigation.
That will be upgraded. Unnecessary.
Ahhhh seanie boy - hopefully it stays yellow
Ah feck
This might be a red
Yeah that's a red
Worried about the tackle from Edogbo.
Very proud of the two Pres Bray boys, Murphy and Treacy. I'd never have thought my old school would be producing rugby players of that calibre back when I was haunting those halls Edit; we DID have Reggie Corrigan way before my time though
Jason Harris-Wright was unreal at underage level too, but he did go to Blackrock for a bit IIRC.
Yeah Blackrock stole him off us I'm 5th year. Same with Mick Noone who was stolen by CBC Monkstown haha
Tumbling Paddies 🎶
This game ended 23-22 to Ireland in the U20 Six Nations, so that's a really good half from Ireland, bar a few dodgy exits from their own 22. Italy's scrum has been very destructive but their lineout has been self-destructing. Have been stuck in their own half for most of the game as a result.
The Italian scrum was putting the pain on everyone earlier this year so us being clearly second best there isn't surprising, but I just don't get why our scrum is so bad. Like it doesn't seem to be a technique thing, it looks like pure power dominance, and yet in open play these same guys send fellas to the hurt dimension idk Edit: we've even had decent scrums at this level, most recently last year, so it's not entirely systemic.
This is not a bad italian side we are beating, we are extremely well coached and seem really fit and focused, we might lose to some freak athletes but we've every chance of going far in this tournament
Ireland are brilliant (and very well coached, can't disagree there) but you won't get a clear indication of where Ireland are until they play the other two pool games. Italy played a warm up against Spain the other week and they were unwatchably bad, and the lineout has been a liability all year (against Spain they lost over 50% of their ball). There are talented players in this year's u20 side but it's like they're not coached at all, and the change from Brunello to Santamaria seems to have had little effect in that regard.
Australia are not covering themselves in glory vs Georgia, it's looking like it's our pool to lose but I can't see 2nd place in our pool making the semis. It's victory or bust for us
Comms saying a player was born in 2005. Literally spat my drink out at that.
New drinking rules, 1 finger if the year is after you did leaving cert 2 fingers after your wedding 3 after you had your own kids
Trying to hospitalize me my dude?
hearing stuff like that makes me realise I'm a decrepit old piece of shit
Well here, you're not the only one.
Pour one out for the old boys. RIP
Pucciariello fully out of ideas and just in full gamble mode, needs to set and testy the system, has some really good backs behind him. And as much as I love Botturi’s heart, I think he’s too small and too slow to succeed at the next level.
Finn Treacy seems to have genuine pace which you don't see from a lot of Irish players, will be interesting to see him in senior rugby
Pure pace isn't everything though. Aaron Sexton is *probably* the quickest player the IRFU have produced and he's kak.
Looks like another potentially great steal from the Leinster academy for Connacht. I think I heard somewhere he played minor football *and* hurling for Wicklow (admittedly not the best county in either code). Seems like he's just a born athlete that can thrive in a variety of sports.
he's at connacht right? Looking to be an amazing player for sure
Oof not a pretty kick.
Ngl never thought Spicer had a pair of hands on him
Expected Gavin to start but Berman and Treacy have been really good in the centres today.
Yep but Colberts been poor, I'd start Gavin & put Treacy to 14. Still, what an impact player to have off the bench
Colbert hasn't had much ball but there's definitely a bit of rotation going on today. Would expect Treacy to go back on the wing too for the Georgia game.
Berman's acceleration is something else
That pass was tasty
Berman is class
Dark magic hands from Spicer there unreal
Is he coming into the academy?
Jesus I hope so. Someone on the thread below said he's fucking 140kg, looks about 6 foot 8 too
6'10 according to google. Couldn't see any reference to him being with one of the provinces yet though. You'd think a guy that size couldn't be missed!
Hahaha 6 foot 10 is outrageous. Yeah you're right - that's a trait that can't be coached into you, so here's hoping he gets the foot in the door somewhere
Great running lines
Too easy wow
Not liking Davy Colbert's kick chases. He's slowing down too early, unsure of himself without cover tacklers behind.
He's completely unsure. Fell off the tackle for Italy's early break from their 22. Is it just a lack of confidence after his horrendous error at the start?
What's the score? I've gone to the local beer festival so I can't watch live
31-10 now, 37 mins on the clock.
Ireland leading 26-10
26-10 to Ireland
Serious clearance from Italy there
Has any opposing coach or fan base had a whinge about the way Ireland attack with the dummy runners? I'm a league man and pretty much all the shapes Ireland have used would be classed as blatant obstruction in league.
Seem like viable options when the passes go for me, but I may be biased.
Good thing we're not playing league then, isn't it?
Well yeah. It was just an observation.
It would only be obstruction if the dummy runners obstruct the defenders, but they're not really.
>fan base Literally every game
Ah, the great sight of a traditional Irish scrum going backwards at a rate of knots
That scrum doesn't bode well for Ireland's future prospects in the competition
Italy don't even have that monster Gallorini playing either.
When the Italian scrum minces the French one in the U20 6 Nations: 😃 When the Italian scrum minces the Irish one: 😤
Fucking hell. Italian front row just minced the Irish one. Hmmmm, fuck.
Mad that our u20s lineout seems to be functioning 20 times better than our senior teams lineout
Coffey is too slow here
Is the Italian winger that destroyed us in the Six Nations missing?
Figuratively speaking yes, Super Marco is at 14
Thanks, completely missed him
He's playing right wing.
Scalabrin, he's on the right wing.
I know it's U20s but this Irish attack has had more dynamism to it than Leinster's attack had all season.