Leinster’s new South African prodigy shines on try-scoring Ireland debut

He looks the real deal.

The backrower starred for Rondebosch Boys’ High School in Cape Town as well as the South Africa U18s and Western Province.

It was reported in April that a number of clubs were after him, including the South Africa URC teams, Leicester Tigers, Munster and Leinster.

The latter won the race for his signature and he is now in the Leinster academy.

Ireland debut

The Ireland U20s began their Six Nations preparation with a warm-up game against Italy at the UCD Bowl on Saturday, with Neill named at blindside flanker.

The flanker had a storming debut in green, touching down twice from maul tries and chipping in with maul and breakdown turnovers, as Ireland won 29-10.

His highlights below from his days playing in South Africa show exactly why their is so much hype around the young man, who is still U19 eligible.

Scorers and teams

Taken from the Irish Rugby website:

Scorers: Ireland U-20s: Tries: Josh Neill 2, James O’Dwyer, Johnny Byrne; Cons: Tom Wood, Charlie O’Shea 2; Pen: Charlie O’Shea
Italy U-20s: Try: Patricio Ettore Dinarte; Con: Roberto Fasti; Pen: Roberto Fasti
HT: Ireland U-20s 12 Italy U-20s 10

IRELAND U-20: Noah Byrne (Dublin University FC/Leinster); Charlie Molony (UCD RFC/Leinster), Johnny O’Sullivan (Dublin University FC/Leinster), Ethan Black (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Daniel Ryan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht); Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/Munster), Christopher Barrett (UCC RFC/Munster); Christian Foley (Young Munster RFC/Munster), Rian Handley (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Sami Bishti (UCD RFC/Leinster) (capt), Dylan McNeice (UCD RFC/Leinster), Donnacha McGuire (UCD RFC/Leinster), Josh Neill (IQ Rugby/Leinster), Alex Lautsou (Shannon RFC/Munster), Diarmuid O’Connell (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht).

Replacements: Johnny Byrne (Garryowen FC/Munster), Tyrese Abolarin (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Blake McClean (Instonians RFC/Ulster), Sean Walsh (MU Barnhall RFC/Leinster), Billy Hayes (Garryowen FC/Munster), James O’Dwyer (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), Charlie O’Shea (UCC RFC/Munster), Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), Charlie Keane (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Harry Waters (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster).