It’s been 21 years but the names of Pat Whelan and Seamus Harty aren’t far from Trevor Hogan’s lips when the conversation strays back to the 16-year old kid who wandered into the Nenagh Ormond club at the onset of his rugby journey.

Munster supporters who were enthused by the displays of out-half Johnny Holland in the latter stages of the season will also have been impressed by the performance of Bill Johnston on his debut for the Irish U20s on Tuesday night.

The Connacht team bus will leave the Sportsground shortly after noon today for The Strand Hotel in Limerick where the players and management will have a light meal, run through their plans for the match and then head for Thomond Park. 

Ireland 18 Argentina 16: There is something familiar about a kicker from Cork Con having nerves of steel to land a last-gasp winning penalty, but Tomas Quinlan wrote a script all of his own to get Ireland’s World Rugby U20 Championship off to a winning start.

Nigel Carolan may be in charge of the Irish U20s at a world championship for the first time but the Galwayman has been involved with enough underage national sides to know they face a tough test against Argentina today, 3.30pm (live on TG4).

It hasn’t been the greatest few months for Ireland’s batch of indigenous coaches, what with the struggles of Anthony Foley’s Munster and Neil Doak’s Ulster, but Nigel Carolan hopes to change that trend.

When Ian Keatley headed west from Dublin to join Connacht he was leaving some of his best rugby friends behind, Ireland’s juggernaut prop forward Cian Healy amongst them.

For eight weeks they soldiered together through the ups and downs of a Six Nations campaign, working and training, eating, meeting and playing as a unit, brothers in arms.

Munster rugby legend Mick Galwey believes Anthony Foley would have to leave the province to progress if he is not given the lead role following Rob Penney’s departure.

Munster coach Rob Penney is looking forward to a major battle in the race to succeed Ronan O’Gara as the director of on-field operations.

Italy U20 25 Ireland U20 25

Fresh from an exciting Ireland U20 career, outside centre Foster Horan is looking to make a giant leap into the professional ranks with London Irish over the next few months.

Ireland U20’s final group game at the IRB Junior World Championships has been switched to Cape Town.

Had Ulster won, it would have been a storyline squeezed for space by its subplots.

He has been best described as a youngster with an old head on his shoulders.

DUAL nationalities and mixed loyalties are nothing new in international rugby where Pacific Islanders can play for England and an Australian lines out for Russia but spare a thought for the Ruddock family on Saturday.

CONNACHT coach Eric Elwood has been limited in his squad selection for tonight’s clash with Ireland due to injuries and has made only three changes from the team that lost 47-10 to Exeter Chiefs last weekend.

The Ireland Under-20 team to face Wales in their final game of the IRB Junior World Championship has been named.

IRELAND’S Under-20 squad departed for Argentina yesterday for their IRB Junior World Championship campaign.

HAVING made their home in Athlone’s Dubarry Park, Ireland will be expected to step up to the mark and beat Scotland to clinch the Six Nations U20 title this evening (7.35pm).

CONNACHT coach Michael Bradley is to step down at the end of the season after seven years in charge.

Argtentina U20s 9 Ireland U20s 16

With a name like Ian Fleming, you hardly expect Munster’s Heineken Cup minder to reveal where the trophy sleeps at night. It didn’t stop MICHAEL MOYNIHAN trying, though.

Coach Allen Clarke has chosen the same side to keep the Ireland Under 20s on track for the Six Nations Championship against Scotland Scotland U20 in the Six Nations Championship this Friday in McDiarmid Park Perth.

SALE Sharks second row Kristian Ormsby is a doubt for his Sunday’s Heineken Cup clash with Munster at Edgeley Park.

Ulster Rugby today confirmed that Irish Under 20's centre Darren Cave has re-signed a one year development contract.

Coach Eric Elwood has named an unchanged Ireland U20 side, going for a Grand Slam, to take on Italy in the U20 Six Nations on Friday.

Ian Keatley landed the match-winning kick for the Ireland U20s for the second week running as the hosts stunned reigning world champions France in Athlone.