Why is the IRFU sacrificing the regions for Leinster?

[ChicagoKid]

What's the long term strategy here?

Decent chance Munster, Ulster, and Connacht don't make top 8. And if Leinster go 0/2 again in the trophy count, what's the upside?

From the outside, something feels fundamentally wrong with a system that is letting 75% of your regions wither on the vine while propping up a single team.

And before everyone comes to the IRFU defense, I know how the Dublin school system is producing these kids. But so what? Institute a draft and start spreading the talent around.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I personally feel the Irish international team would be better with a strong Munster, Leinster and Ustler. I don't think they can all be strong though so let's let Connacht stay mediocre for now.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

They're not sacrificing anyone. Look at the make ups of Munster, Ulster and Connacht, full of Leinster academy players.

Munster and Ulster have totally failed to produce players at a dependable rate for 10 years despite plenty of representation at 20s level. Why would you give them the best talent in the country?

It's to everyone's detriment there isn't another strong province but it's not an active approach of the IRFU.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

They're not sacrificing anyone. Look at the make ups of Munster, Ulster and Connacht, full of Leinster academy players.

Munster and Ulster have totally failed to produce players at a dependable rate for 10 years despite plenty of representation at 20s level. Why would you give them the best talent in the country?

It's to everyone's detriment there isn't another strong province but it's not an active approach of the IRFU.

Maybe not an active approach but they let the other la fall by the way side for whatever reason (and their might be a financial reason).

 

[Saintjay]

They're not sacrificing anyone. Look at the make ups of Munster, Ulster and Connacht, full of Leinster academy players.

Munster and Ulster have totally failed to produce players at a dependable rate for 10 years despite plenty of representation at 20s level. Why would you give them the best talent in the country?

It's to everyone's detriment there isn't another strong province but it's not an active approach of the IRFU.

Do they have the same access to the schools as Leinster? Saw some fans moaning that's part of the issue and that Leinster don't let the best lads go out for development. Which in turns a problem because the squads actually too big.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Maybe not an active approach but they let the other la fall by the way side for whatever reason (and their might be a financial reason).

There's an assumption there that Munster and Ulster have been well run provinces when they haven't been. Ulster moreso, they have been financially reckless and a lot of IRFU policies, such as the central contracting system favouring the team with most internationals, are heavily influenced by them destroying the team from the inside out, they actually have an extra source of income thrpugh UK Gov. grants and have remained the 3rd / 4th best province.

Munster totally neglected development in the 00s, they've been steadily improving and are obviously the last Irish club side to win a trophy (with the coach that pushed back most against IRFU selection policy which can't be ignored). They have been providing apprentice players and young squad players to Ireland in the most recent cycle at a far improved rate. However, there's nearly a 10 year age gap between Conor Murray and Simon Zebo and Craig Casey, I don't think they produced a 20+ cap international inbetween, that's not on the IRFU.

Leinster have essentially had back to back golden generations, it happens in sport as relatively uncompetitive as club rugby. The most recent one is at risk of being totally wasted at club level if they don't win Europe in the next two seasons and it's undeniable, and has been for a couple years now. The next gen doesn't look as dominant. It should balance out after 2-6 frustrating years for Ireland if recent 20s squads are indicative of talent.

However, criticising the IRFU is missing the failings of the Munster and Ulster branches.

Do they have the same access to the schools as Leinster? Saw some fans moaning that's part of the issue and that Leinster don't let the best lads go out for development. Which in turns a problem because the squads actually too big.

They can approach them but selling it to players is impossible. Ages 23 - 26 has been the period where some Leinster players' careers have stalled. Ryan Baird is a prime example, he's never been a starter in his career, Jamie Osborne is at risk of same currently. @LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan) asked me what players I'd be happy to see go abroad on a deal that allows them play for Ireland and I never answered, Jamie Osborne would be top of the list for me right now, he is at a stage that he needs to be a starter and he can be at a higher level than Munster or Ulster can currently offer. Back when Munster were at a level that gave players exposure to top level club rugby both Joey Carbery and Andrew Conway moved with varyijg levels of success.

 

[Ideasguy]

We should divide Ireland into increasingly fair and evenly matched catchment and pathways areas, always making the number one team's patch smaller and some of the surrounding areas bigger by redevoting some of the outer parishes away from the strongest/dominant team's patch, until one day, we end up with a team breaking into the top five who 10 years back had no hope of getting anywhere near it. I prefer this solution-oriented route rather than just sit back and suffer the very unequal catchment area patches forever. Scotland also needs a good catchment regions system designed to bring about three or four equal pro teams, so bringing it in there would be a fantastic idea.