Yes but the pressure on the player is enormous. I spoke to a player recently who the IRFU (not current regime) tried to force to leave Connacht to join Munster. The player didn't want to go so they pulled his Connacht contract. It was only when he said "fine, I'll play for Connacht as an amateur" that they gave him a contract. The player could and should have played for Ireland given the level he played at and his position but never did.mildlyinterested wrote:the player has got to agree.
Having tasted international success as Joey has it would be a huge call to put himself in a position where he was not available for the world cup. My understanding that the player is struggling big time with the issue and is not sleeping. Don't forget, he's still a kid! You have to ask why the hell this issue wasn't raised and resolved during the close season for the benefit of the player and Leinster but anyway.....
The issue for Leinster is that it took 10 years for the Academy to get where it needed to be and to be as productive as it is. It could take 10 years for the Ulster and Munster Academy to get to the same place so we could have 10 years of this...... and of course, if Sexton's career is finished in the next couple of years we could be in a position as the most successful club in European history where we have half backs who are not international class. That seems crazy and unbelievably unfair.