Kilkenny College pair thrive on the big stage

With just 15 minutes to go before the final whistle, as Emerging Ireland tussled for supremacy with the Cheetahs, a fresh-off-the-bench Charlie Tector copped a shoulder to his head from South African second row Carl Wegner.

The slow motion replay showed the moment of impact, and Tector took a minute to get to his feet. The referee deemed the tackle merited only a yellow card, adjudging that the Irishman had changed position and height at the crucial moment. Those calls can be a coin toss, however, and towering lock Wegner was possibly lucky it wasn’t red.

Despite the knock and the limited time left to make an impact, Tector contributed some good carries, physicality and defensive solidity. His arrival from the bench brought to two the number of Kilkenny College past pupils on the pitch.

Another young man, Stephen Smyth, started at hooker and capped off the tour’s final match with an assured performance in the scrum and at lineout time, departing after 67 minutes.

The pair have both seen their stock rise in recent weeks with some eye-catching displays. Aside from the three-match tour, Tector was a standout player for Leinster in their season opener against Edinburgh. He looked very much at home at inside centre, winning plaudits from the likes of Bernard Jackman, as well as his coaches. It’s important he takes every opportunity he gets to shine — given the abundance of competition for the number 12 jersey; Robbie Henshaw, Harry Byrne and Ciaran Frawley all cover the position, while All Black Jordie Barrett arrives at Christmas.

Both Charlie and Stephen have remained in regular touch with their former Kilkenny College coaches, and have been back to visit their alma mater often.

Speaking to the Kilkenny People last week, Kilkenny College rugby head coach Jeff Carter said the whole school community was delighted to see both Charlie and Stephen involved in the tour, and in particular against the Cheetahs in the final game of the three-match series in Bloemfontein.

Tector (Class of 2020) is in his fourth year of the Leinster Academy. He was part of the u-20 Grand Slam winning side of 2022 starting all games at fly half: “He has two starts this season and has shown everyone how good he is at this level regardless of whether he plays at out-half or in the centre,” said Carter.

Stephen Smyth (Class of 2023) has a number of u-20 caps and has toured extensively with Ireland underage sides so is no stranger to elite rugby either.

“Stephen is in his first year with the Leinster Academy and is playing his AIL rugby with Old Wesley,” Carter said.

“Like Charlie, Stephen too was a boarder with us for six years and it allows us to get to know all the students really well and those relationships last long after they leave us.”