Flash Gordon wrote:One of the issues we face is that we still await the next IRFU strategic plan which has now lapsed. In the previous plans there were clear objectives for Ireland the provinces in terms of winning things. It's also really difficult to follow the business plans for each entity because of the vagueries of the accounts and the joint contractual ownership of players.
Elite organisations tend to focus on their strengths and build them whether it be sports or business. The IRFU's workings with the provinces seems to focus Ireland towards the elite but in provincial terms, they seem to take the opposite approach with both funding and players.
This to me is the nub of the problem here - we don't have a clear understanding of a strategy and way forward as to how and what's acceptable structures for the provinces and players and the way they interact with the national team.
Personally, I think the provinces should be tasked with bringing as much local talent through as they can, supplemented by a handful of NIQ's but with the aim of keeping the provinces primarily local player based and supporting their academies etc. This maintains for me the one great strength of Irish Rugby, that our winning provinces have been primarily local talent in the last decade or so be it the Munster winning teams of 06 and 08 or Leinster for our recent 4 wins. This is a unique strength not present In France or England and it's this that has given us a great strength. It produces great Irish players as their provincial rivalry pushes things forward and as they compete at the top table in Europe. If one province (like Leinster currently) is producing decent quality players over and above what they need, no harm in those players in limited numbers looking for contracts elsewhere but only if they are surplus to requirements and not blocking academy progression from their new province - i.e players getting little or no game-time, not required by Leinster or are out of contract, they may personally opt or be guided to move to another province as long as the numbers are limited and it's not impacting on player throughput from that provinces academy or club progression. Stick to this approach and we will find the gems. Bring in Saffers, poach anything you can on the open market and you won't find the gems.
If the IRFU wants to just turn Irish rugby into a giant pool of professional players playing in Team Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht with no regard for player origination and also shoving them around as a national coach sees fit for whatever reason, fine, but to me you've just killed the single greatest thing in Irish rugby and I think it will damage our provincial appeal and this long term will impact on our success, provincially and nationally.
I think we've seen by having good local provincial teams we can mix it at the top table in Europe (wins in 06,08, 09, 11, 12 and 18) and these players come through to the national side. Don't underestimate how important it is to have a winning provincial team, winning and mixing this form into the national team.
Maybe I'm a bit of an old romantic but local lads playing for the provinces is to me the golden thing we have here. Right now while Leinster are doing this Munster are not and are losing their way rapidly. It's that simple and this move of Carbery is a significant issue, as to me it's a marker that the IRFU are possibly less concerned or just don't understand the importance of what we have here. They are also not seeing the current Munster issue and are making it worse by these types of moves.
Park the blue tinted 'I'm annoyed that Munster poached Carbery' glasses for a moment, this issue, has perhaps, just highlighted to many of us, an issue which long-term may become a serious problem.
Anyway I ain't happy, this whole thing has been a mess, an unwelcome distraction post the best season we've ever had and it's left a sour taste. If it all sounds a bit parochial, I'm not apologising. For me if we look after the best interests of our provinces we'll collectively produce a bunch of competitive players raised on great local rivalry and the national pool will look after itself. Mix in a world class coach (like we have) and it'll be fine..........don't dilute the provincial identity. It's gold dust.