Following relegation from the Premiership, London Irish
supporters may have reason to feel glum. However, the summer has had its
success stories too thanks to their academy prospects. With a season of
Championship rugby ahead, utilising these younger players may provide the key
to longer term survival.
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| Ben Loader is just one of the talented young players who made his mark at the U20 Championship for England. |
London Irish are a side well known for producing
young talent, even if they haven't always stuck around the club. Jonathan
Joseph, Marland Yarde, Anthony Watson & Jamie Gibson are just a handful of
the players moulded in Sunbury. Many of the Irish graduates have moved on to
challenge for the Premiership title at other clubs, international honours and
appeared for the British & Irish Lions.
The club prides itself on a well-coached academy with the benefit of training with the first team. This philosophy of integrating the academy into first team training gives the younger players vital insight into the life of a top-flight rugby player. Currently under the guidance of Patrick O'Grady, the production line continues to roll out talent.
Over the summer London Irish had five players with England at the U20 Championship in France, the joint most of any Premiership side. With 930 minutes and 6 tries between them over the two weeks, they contributed to a hugely successful tournament which saw them runners-up to the hosts France.
While one of those five has already departed the club, the four remaining are part of a 16 strong academy, with six new inductees for the new season. With a season in the second tier of English rugby approaching, how London Irish make the most of their future talent is yet to be seen. However, the Championship has history as a proving ground for the best players in the country.
Despite its faults around funding and its ever-changing format, the Championship has provided strong competitive action for some of England's current stars in their younger years. In fact, 26 of the 31 players in the current England senior squad (excluding those raised on distant shores or playing in other codes) have had experience playing in divisions outside the Premiership at the start of their careers.
With 136 caps between them, both Chris Robshaw & Mike Brown began their Harlequins careers in the Championship during the 2005-06 season. Luke Cowan-Dickie & Henry Slade both spent time dual-registered with Plymouth Albion whilst at Exeter. Fly-half Owen Farrell spent time on loan at Goldington Road for Bedford in 2010-11 before going on to win the Premiership title with Saracens later that season. The Championship has proved to be a worthy testing ground for the best England has to offer over the past decade.
If London Irish seek to be competing at the right end of the top division in the future, this may be the perfect time to unleash some of their young talent into their starting squad this season.
Tom Parton, Ben Loader & Rory Brand all proved they have the ability and the temperament to play in front of a passionate French crowd during the U20 Championship. Loader even got his first taste of Premiership action at the end of last season against Bath, capping off the appearance with a try of his own.
The club prides itself on a well-coached academy with the benefit of training with the first team. This philosophy of integrating the academy into first team training gives the younger players vital insight into the life of a top-flight rugby player. Currently under the guidance of Patrick O'Grady, the production line continues to roll out talent.
Over the summer London Irish had five players with England at the U20 Championship in France, the joint most of any Premiership side. With 930 minutes and 6 tries between them over the two weeks, they contributed to a hugely successful tournament which saw them runners-up to the hosts France.
While one of those five has already departed the club, the four remaining are part of a 16 strong academy, with six new inductees for the new season. With a season in the second tier of English rugby approaching, how London Irish make the most of their future talent is yet to be seen. However, the Championship has history as a proving ground for the best players in the country.
Despite its faults around funding and its ever-changing format, the Championship has provided strong competitive action for some of England's current stars in their younger years. In fact, 26 of the 31 players in the current England senior squad (excluding those raised on distant shores or playing in other codes) have had experience playing in divisions outside the Premiership at the start of their careers.
With 136 caps between them, both Chris Robshaw & Mike Brown began their Harlequins careers in the Championship during the 2005-06 season. Luke Cowan-Dickie & Henry Slade both spent time dual-registered with Plymouth Albion whilst at Exeter. Fly-half Owen Farrell spent time on loan at Goldington Road for Bedford in 2010-11 before going on to win the Premiership title with Saracens later that season. The Championship has proved to be a worthy testing ground for the best England has to offer over the past decade.
If London Irish seek to be competing at the right end of the top division in the future, this may be the perfect time to unleash some of their young talent into their starting squad this season.
Tom Parton, Ben Loader & Rory Brand all proved they have the ability and the temperament to play in front of a passionate French crowd during the U20 Championship. Loader even got his first taste of Premiership action at the end of last season against Bath, capping off the appearance with a try of his own.
Fly-half Jacob Atkins spent time on loan
at London Scottish in the Championship last season, demonstrating his readiness
to step up at such a pivotal position. Issac Curtis-Harris may face a battle
with Irish seemingly well equipped in the back row, but he has impressed the
coaching staff at Esher in the past season. These are hungry and talented young
players ready to take the next step.
To leave this talent untapped in a season where the chance for younger players to develop is plentiful would be a massive opportunity missed for the Exiles. These players need consistent first team opportunities to see them flourish. While the experienced heads of Myler, Du Plessis & Ojo may be enough to see them promoted this year, they will need an injection of youth if London Irish are to survive the realities of the top flight once again.
To leave this talent untapped in a season where the chance for younger players to develop is plentiful would be a massive opportunity missed for the Exiles. These players need consistent first team opportunities to see them flourish. While the experienced heads of Myler, Du Plessis & Ojo may be enough to see them promoted this year, they will need an injection of youth if London Irish are to survive the realities of the top flight once again.
