Leinster name seven new academy recruits and three graduates to senior ranks

Props Michael Milne and Thomas Clarkson and centre David Hawkshaw awarded contracts

Prop Michael Milne (left) has been rewarded with a senior contract by Leinster. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho
Prop Michael Milne (left) has been rewarded with a senior contract by Leinster. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

Leinster have confirmed seven new recruits to year one in their academy as well as confirming that props Michael Milne and Thomas Clarkson and centre David Hawkshaw have graduated to senior contracts.

Five of the new intake, prop Jack Boyle (DUFC), hooker Lee Barron (UCD), centre/wing/fullback Chris Cosgrave (UCD), flanker Mark Hernan (Lansdowne) and wing cum fullback Rob Russell (DUFC) are former St Michael's College pupils.

Scrumhalf Ben Murphy (Old Wesley), the son of Ireland under-20 and senior kicking and skills coach Richie and loosehead prop Temi Lasisi (Lansdowne) complete the year one roster. Trinity student Russell was a member of the Grand Slam-winning Irish 20s side in 2019 while the other six have all played that particular age-grade level over the past two seasons.

Leinster Rugby graduates, senior contracts (2021/22): Thomas Clarkson (10 caps), David Hawkshaw (8 caps), Michael Milne (16 caps).

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Year Three: Brian Deeny, Cormac Foley (1 cap), Martin Moloney (1 cap), Charlie Ryan, Liam Turner (6 caps)

Year Two: Niall Comerford, Marcus Hanan (2 caps), Joe McCarthy, John McKee, Jamie Osborne (6 caps), Seán O'Brien (2 caps), Max O'Reilly (7 caps), Andrew Smith (2 caps), Alex Soroka (2 caps)

Year One: Jack Boyle, Lee Barron, Chris Cosgrave, Mark Hernan, Temi Lasisi, Ben Murphy, Rob Russell.

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer