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Ulster raid SFM's school to sign one of two Irish-qualified teenagers
By Josh Raisey
Ulster have signed Irish-qualified teenagers Paddy Woods and Rynard Gordon, who will join the academy as first-year players.
Second-row Woods, 18, who hails from Perth in Australia, studied at Campbell College Belfast last year and represented Ulster U19, before going on to play for Queens University Belfast in the All-Ireland-League 1B Division.
With family from Ulster, Woods is Irish qualified, as is South Africa-born Gordon, who has family from Belfast.
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Gordon, an 18-year-old outside back, has come through Bishops school in Cape Town, the same school that produced South Africa fly-half Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, amongst other internationals.
Having represented the school’s 1st XV, Gordon recently completed a trial period with Ulster U19.
“We are delighted to welcome both Paddy and Rynard into our Academy system,” Ulster academy manager Gavin Hogg said.
“Paddy is a promising young lock with good physical presence and Rynard is an exciting backline player with the ability to beat defenders.
“Both players have shown us their clear potential, and we are pleased to be welcoming them into the academy to progress.
“With both being Irish-Qualified through family, we hope that we can help both players develop in our academy programme and become ones for the future.”
The deals come just days after pundits have lamented the lack of high-class talent coming through the production line in Ireland following the national team’s 36-14 defeat to France in Paris in the opening round of the Guinness Six Nations.
“The production line has slowed to nearly a drizzle at the moment,” former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman said on RTÉ Sport. “Last year’s [U20] team, unfortunately, won the wooden spoon. This year’s team doesn’t look to be a vintage side — maybe a little bit better — so what has happened, and what’s been done to try to improve and increase our player pool? Nothing.”
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