[M_W]

Now announced

https://www.london-irish.com/news/senio ... on/bp2944/

Henry Arundell – Full-back
Monty Bradbury – Fly-half
Mikey Summerfield – Prop
Calum Scott - Hooker

Scott's the only one not really on my radar. Seems to play all over the place, as he appeared in one game in the U18 league last season at prop, plays in the back row in the game at the weekend, and is described as a hooker here.

[Lazyboy346]

Small intake for next season but unsurprising given covid so it'll probably be those who were expected to anyway. Arundel, Bradbury and Summerfield were named a lot in previous years as likely options and Scott being the captain is probably useful. Thought Harding and Hartikainnen might get through, may be they are too young.

Of the senior year, I'd assume that Donnell and Englefield are certain to join the seniors with Ben Atkins and Iziaha Moore-Aiono as possibles.

That leaves us as follows:
Chunya Munga (2nd, LK) - certainty for seniors
Josh Smart (2nd, BR)
Luke Green (2nd, PR)
Alexander Harmes (1st, WG)
Michael Dykes (1st, WG)
George Davis (1st, HK/FL)
Marcus Rhodes (1st, BR)
Joseph Vajner (1st, HK) - U18 captain, seen as a competitor for Bearbury I think?
Will Joseph (1st, CE) - playing or training with seniors all year anyway
Theo Smerdon (1st, FH/SH)
Lucas Brooke (1st, HK/BR)
Rory Morgan (1st, SH)
Tarek Haffar (1st, PR/BR)
Current Total: 5 front row, 1 lock, 2 BR (+3 cover), 1 SH, 1 FH, 1 CE, 2 B3

Looks like a lot of the younger players have been flexible across front row and back row, with only Green, Summerfield and Vajner specialising. We've not had many homegrown successes in the tight five of late (that have stayed at least) so would be nice if a handful made it to senior level with us given the depth there now. We are short at lock (unless someone has a growth spurt) and could do with one of the backs settling at 12, otherwise that's a decent academy squad for next season.

[M_W]

Yep, smallish intake, but worth noting that most years they announce a bunch around this time, then make a decision/formalise the signing on a few more a little later. Smerdon, Morgan and Rhodes were added after the initial announcement last year for example.

Definitely a few interesting decisions to be made as you say though (Atkins and Izzy for example).

[Stevie J]

Seems some of our boys were in action for England U20s last week: https://nextgenxv.com/2021/05/05/englan ... falcons-a/

Lucas Brooke started at 7 with Luke Green and Marcus Rhodes on the bench.

[M_W]

Just been reading that from nextgen.

Brookes' involvement as a starter is interesting. He eligible for this year and next (where as Rhodes and Green are just eligible this season. Despite not having a lot of U18 involvement, he's obviously one to keep an eye on.