The Ireland U20s throws up an eclectic mix of players each year, from those with GAA backgrounds, to young men with deep rooted rugby traditions, to the IQ pathway players.
This year's Six Nations squad features two IQ athletes in Patreece Bell and Will Wooton - brother of former Munster and Connacht player Alex - both of whom are part of the Sale Sharks academy.
Ireland U20s Prop Praises Structure
Bell has been part of the underage set-up in his home country, having togged out for the England U18s, and highlighted the superior structure he has seen in Ireland:
I’d say the structure is massive here, it feels like you are playing rugby with a purpose a lot more.
[It's] a lot more planned in what we do and it’s sort of easier when there’s a script to follow.
Given Ireland's recent success at U20s, which has seen them win back-to-back Grand Slams and reach the final of the World Championships last summer, Bell's comments come as no surprise and bode well for continued prosperity.
READ HERE: Balls.ie's Greatest Ireland U20s XV Of All-Time
READ HERE: The Ireland U20s Giant Who Traded A Hurley And Tipp Colours For An Oval Ball And A Green Jersey
9 February 2024; Patreece Bell of Ireland before the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Italy at Virgin Media Park in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
The 19-year-old tight head qualifies for Ireland through his Co Down grandparents, and he is named in the starting XV to face Wales tomorrow evening, after making his debut off the bench two weeks ago.
His journey from the Isle of Man to Musgrave Park has seen him head down various avenues, and shows the scale of the IQ programme.
"Ireland started to watch a few on my games on loan, Sedgley Tigers in England, and basically invited me over to camp," Bell continued.
"I grew up in the Isle of Man, moved to a boarding school in England aged 15 or 16, to a boarding school in England called Kirkham so I could get more rugby time because rugby is limited in the Isle of Man.
"There’s a Sale development programme in the Isle of Man and I got trials there, went over to England and got selected for the academy.
"I’m buzzing for the opportunity. I grew up watching Ireland with my grandad since I was a kid so I’ve always wanted to play for Ireland.
"It's been class. I’ve been welcomed well so I’ve enjoyed coming over here and experiencing a different type of environment.
"It’s also fun to be around, not just rugby, rugby. We had two captains [Gus McCarthy, 2023, and Rueben Crothers, 2022] from previous years who came in and shared their experience with us and I thought that was a nice touch."
SEE ALSO: Bernard Jackman Tips Ex-Ireland International To Replace Dan McFarland
