O'Tighearnaigh returning as one of Ireland U20 leaders

In the last 10 years, St Michael's College has been producing professional rugby players by the bucketload.

But if they specialise in one type of player, it might be second row.

James Ryan is probably the most famous lock off the Michael's production line, while Ross Molony, Ryan Baird and Oisin Dowling are among their other exports in the second row alone in recent years.

No pressure on Conor O'Tighearnaigh so.

One of Richie Murphy's class of 2022, the second row has returned for a second year of U20 rugby, but this time as one of the team's leaders.

Twelve months ago he found himself thrust into the starting side as an 18-year-old when the squad was hit by injuries, and played almost every minute of the Grand Slam success, forming a brilliant partnership with fellow Leinster man Mark Morrissey.

And he's made a big impact already in this Six Nations, scoring a try in last week's 44-27 win against Wales in Colwyn Bay.

O'Tighearnaigh has taken on the responsibility of calling the lineouts this season, joined by his fellow UCD man Diarmuid Mangan in the second row.

"It's not massively different," he says of his role in this year's team.

"Last year you didn't have the same amount of responsibility to be a leader, or you could try look at the other lads and copy what they did, but this year you have to lead by example.

"I learned with the players last year who had played the year before, I learned a lot from them, and I'm trying my best to set an example for the younger lads. But it's each to themselves, you have to control what you're doing."

Already standing at a towering 6ft 7in, the 19-year-old reckons he's added "maybe seven kilos" to his frame in the last 12 months.

But after also featuring for Ireland in their summer series games