Irish-qualified South African star Josh Neill to join Leinster academy

Neill is set to link up with Leinster early next year after he completes his school year in his native South Africa.

The 18-year-old back-row, who is Irish-qualified, was in high demand, but he has opted to further his rugby career with Leinster after the province offered him a place in their academy.

Nell is currently attending Rondebosch Boys' High School in Cape Town and was recently named in the South Africa U-18s squad for their summer series games against France, England and Ireland.

His older brother,Jordan, is already based in Ireland and he currently plays cricket with Northern Knights. Jordan has played with Ireland U-19s and made his Irish senior debut in the One Day International game against the West Indies earlier this summer.

Josh, who plays his club rugby with Western Province, will not need to qualify to play for Ireland via World Rugby's five-year residency rule as he has Irish family roots, and is already eligible to play for Ireland, should the opportunity arise further down the line.

Leinster Rugby academy 2025/26

Year One: Tadhg Brophy (Naas RFC), Jack Deegan (Blackrock College RFC), Connor Fahy (Clontarf FC), Páidí Farrell (Old Wesley RFC), Lee Fitzpatrick (Blackrock College RGC), Todd Lawlor (Lansdowne FC), Ciarán Mangan (Blackrock College RFC), Alex Mullan (Blackrock College RFC), Josh Neill (TBC), Mahon Ronan (Old Wesley RFC)

Year Two:: Oliver Coffey (Blackrock College RFC), Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC), Caspar Gabriel (Terenure College RFC), Hugo McLaughlin (Lansdowne FC), Ruben Moloney (UCD RFC), Alan Spicer (Clontarf FC), Andrew Sparrow (St Mary's College RFC), Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC).

Year Three: Henry McErlean (Terenure College RFC), Liam Molony (Lansdowne FC), Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC)

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