Jeremy Loughman

can hardly be considered undersize. At 119 kilograms (18 stone 10lbs), the

Ireland Under-20

loosehead prop cuts an imposing figure, yet he will form part of a pack that will be giving away a few pounds and inches in physical terms when they travel to Colwyn Bay to face Wales in the age-grade

Six Nations

Championship on Friday night.

It’s a familiar scenario historically, and specifically in terms of the current tournament, as they have faced France and then England in their last two matches. There’s also a technical side to the equation; the Irish players have to grapple with opponents who have more exposure to senior rugby.

The 19-year-old Loughman admitted: “It’s been tough, but it’s been very enjoyable. It’s really challenged me as a player.”

He has acquitted himself impressively in Ireland’s three games so far, but then that’s hardly a surprise for the teenager who can play both sides of the frontrow.

Having started playing initially in Athy rugby club, while attending Árdscoil na Tríonóide and being capped at Leinster U-18 Youths level, he moved to Blackrock College for fifth and sixth year, winning a brace of Leinster Schools Senior Cups and earning further representative honours.

Equal battle

Loughman is reasonably pleased with how things have gone so far, especially against England in the scrum. “It was good. I thought it was an equal battle. They’re obviously very big lads and like Wales they have a lot of first-team experience with their clubs.

“That older experience, especially in the front row, really pays off. It was tough but I thought we handled it well and hopefully we can build from England and put in a good set-piece performance against Wales.

“They’re all about their strong set piece and setting that as a platform for their backs. If we can get in and disrupt it, we’ve an extremely good backline that can do a bit of damage as well. I think as forwards, it’s very important to really set them a good platform. The better a platform we give them, the easier they make it on us because they’ve showed already they can run them [TRIES)]in from anywhere.”

Loughman is multidimensional in being proficient in the tight and a prominent and effective ball carrier. “Set-piece would be my first priority and then if I can still move after that, I’ll look to get on the ball,” he smiled.

“Having been a centre back in the day, I do enjoy carrying the ball in the loose. I think it’s been important setting that platform for the backs.” More of the same would do nicely.