O’Donovan lauds young locks

MUNSTER’S latest second row prodigies Ian Nagle and Dave Foley are poised for a breakthrough, but they’re still hampered by the presence of an international “group of four” that will force them to wait their turn in the queue, according to respected analyst and rugby coach Niall O’Donovan.

Former Irish forwards coach O’Donovan, now manager of Munster’s A team, takes delight at the progress of the duo, amongst a number of other youngsters in the provincial squad, but believes the breaks won’t come easily, given the type of competition presently existing between skipper Paul O’Connell, Donnacha Ryan, Donncha O’Callaghan and Mick O’Driscoll.

O’Donovan conceded it was difficult for this particular duo: “A lot of these players have huge potential, no doubt about it, but at times they need to get up to the bigger stage and do it; it’s hard for them at the moment because one week they can be playing AIL (All Ireland League) and then (nothing).