URC Round Six Team of the Week: Remember Ireland made the 2023 U20 World Cup final - look how many of those players made it in here
Young guns making their mark on a week where Leinster and Connacht won, while Munster and Ulster lost
The URC Team of the Week, URC round six, contains an array of young players opening up interesting options for provincial coaches with just one league game to come before European rugby begins.
Specifically there were some excellent showings from some of the backs involved in the run to 2023 U20 World Cup final.
Leinster's Andrew Osborne, Connacht's Hugh Gavin and Leinster's Sam Prendergast each make the 'first' team here, as does Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy, on a week where Leinster and Connacht won, Munster and Ulster lost.
15. Mike Haley (Munster): Exceptional under the high ball against Sharks in Durban, he may be the best ‘fielder’ (has Kerry roots!) across the four provinces. Well finished try on the half-hour.
14. Andrew Osborne (Leinster): A switch of wings and a second standout outing in two weeks from Jamie’s younger brother. Just shades it here as while Munster were well beaten by Sharks, Calvin Nash put in a hard working performance.
READ MORE: 21st Century Boy Sam Prendergast has the world at his feet
13. Jude Postlethwaite (Ulster): Two first-half tries against Cardiff just touched off Hugh Cooney who, making his starting debut, was the pick of the Leinster backs. Connacht’s Cathal Forde was impressive too.
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht): Caused havoc against Dragons on both sides of the ball, his presence when used as a decoy making that bit of extra room for Cathal Forde on his outside. Pete Wilkins remains hopeful he will be at Connacht next season.
11. Hugh Gavin (Connacht): 2023 U20 Grand Slam winner, U20 RWC finalist, 2024 U20 Six Nations Man of the Match in France, first year pro at Connacht, Emerging Ireland tourist, came from the bench after 20 minutes, did a super job until, in turn, injured on the hour.
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10. Sam Prendergast (Leinster): An hour leading a Leinster side at the Aviva and looking comfortable at all times - his ‘delayed’ passing is a thing of beauty! Possibly forced the issue on a couple of occasions but, hey, he is 21 years of-age.
9. Nathan Doak (Ulster): Dangerous on the break, his work ahead of Postlethwaite's first try, handling twice, was superb. Unlucky to see the conversion of the second try hit the post and in having a late long-range penalty drop just short.
1. Eric O’Sullivan (Ulster): Another decent showing at loosehead from a player far too easily overlooked at Ireland squad level. Part key to 19-0 half-time lead in Cardiff, leaving the field after 55 minutes with the northern province still 19-5 ahead.
2. Gus McCarthy (Leinster): A 78 minute run bringing his time in a Leinster shirt past 300 minutes. Has caught Andy Farrell’s eye and is likely to pick up an Ireland cap in the November series- could well be on the bench against the All Blacks.
3. Tom O’Toole (Ulster): As with his provincial loosehead partner, key to 19-0 half-time lead which was a 19-5 lead when leaving the field after 55 minutes. Leinster’s Thomas Clarkson made a notable impact coming in early in the second-half at the Aviva.
4. RG Snyman (Leinster): Those paying money to watch Leinster this year are watching central-casting South Africa rugby height, weight and menace in action. Dominant in the lineout, the Lions simply didn’t have an answer to his sheer physicality.
5. Joe Joyce (Connacht): Wholehearted, hard working, full of effort in a competitive area this week; Tadhg Beirne stayed in the fight against Sharks, Ryan Baird benefitted from a winning pack, Iain Henderson started brightly before being injured after 24 minutes.
6. Cian Prendergast (Connacht): Magnificent carry in the lead up to Caolin Blade’s try under the posts. His attacking the line for his own try, Connacht’s third, simply overpowered the defence. Heart and soul of the last gasp win.
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster): When Leinster need a play it pays to turn to Josh and, indeed, he was there to get over for the first try against Lions, the one that eased the nerves after the first-half hour had drawn a blank. Relentless tracking and tackling.
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster): Leinster captaincy is sitting well. This was his third start this season, third try and second Man of the Match award. His continual carrying, tackling and presence made sure a very effective engine room took control against Lions.
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