Exclusive | 

One of rugby’s hottest young prospects has turned down his native South Africa in favour of Ireland and Leinster

Ireland U-20 players, from left, Christopher Barrett, Derry Moloney, Ben Blaney and Josh Neill after theIR U20 Six Nations Championship victory over England at The Rec in Bath. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Ireland U-20 players, from left, Christopher Barrett, Derry Moloney, Ben Blaney and Josh Neill after theIR U20 Six Nations Championship victory over England at The Rec in Bath. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Josh Neill turned 19 yesterday. He made the most of the Six Nations fallow week by jumping on a train from Dublin to celebrate his birthday with his brother Jordan (20) in Belfast.

The Neill boys are a long way from South Africa, where they were born and raised, but they are both very much feeling at home in Ireland.