Devine following in familiar footsteps for Ireland U20s

ADAPTING: John Devine of Ireland in action against Ryan Woodman of Wales during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Wales and Ireland at Stadiwm CSM in Colwyn Bay. Pic: Paul Greenwood/Sportsfile

Brotherly love, sibling rivalry: call it what you will but the natural competition that tends to grow with children as they make their way through school and sport has stood to John Devine as he adapts to life with the Ireland U20s.

One older brother, Joseph, won a Connacht Schools medal with Garbally back in the day but it is Matthew, a year and ten months his elder, who has served as the main spur and sounding board for the Ballinasloe and Connacht centre through the years.