[errlloyd]

Pretty self explanatory thread title, but I'll give some background.

It seems we are producing the best players we have ever produced. Pundits and fans seem to agree that the "golden generation" may have actually just been the first generation of a "golden era". Although we haven't seen the results at a national level yet there is no need for deccie bashing, we get it in every thread. The evidence however is relatively clear.

The sports uptake has increased dramatically, while countries like Wales, Scotland and even England have flustered, Irish people are taking to the oval ball more and more, we're filling our stadiums, attendance in the last 10 years across Ireland has probably increased about 300%, despite probably a 100% increase in ticket prices?

The question I am getting to is simple. Is Ireland beginning to switch to Rugby. Is a combination of awful international form in Soccer, and tangible success in Rugby beginning to change the sporting priorities of this nation. Is the advent of professionalism luring GAA players with incredible skillsets into the game more than ever before. And does that mean in 10 or 20 years down the line we'll overtake the rest of the British Isles who don't seem to be developing at our rate, and become a team that sits pretty comfortably in the top 4 or 5 of the world rankings?

Or is club form allowing my imagination to run away.

[NIMAN]

It is definitely a great time for Irish rugby at present, although I always would be worried that the form of club sides and provinces never seems to translate itself into the national side. Hopefully that will change.

The sport is riding the crest of a wave and youngsters will no doubt be looking at it and wanting to emulate their heroes. You might find more schools started to play it, and this in turn will keep a stream of talent coming (hopefully again).

I don't think its success has anything to do with the soccer team not being successful for ages. Soccer will always be a massive draw for youngsters, thats the nature of it. Plus now with the Euro's, the future football stars of the LoI may be getting excited about Poland.

As to how all this will translate in the future, hard to call. Wales are currently on a resurgence too. Admittedly the Home Nations have been average in world terms in recent years, and to be fair to yoru question about being Top 4 or 5 in the world, you really only have to be the leading Six Nations team to achieve that ranking. Its usually safe to assume that the Southern Hemispshere 'Big 3' will always be in the top slots, but after that whoever is the best in the Six Nations really should be World No.4.

Its certainly an exciting time for Irish rugby. Lets see how we compete in NZ now.

[godtabh]

The soccer team will be playing in the European Championship this summer. Maybe you missed that?

[emmet02]

It's a cyclical thing imo, at the moment we're seeing a massive spin of the cycle as Munster head into a regenerative phase, and Ulster are on their way out of one, and Leinster are at the top of a wave.

Unfortunately our national squad has gone past the point of no return when you look at the game they play. It may have won England a World Cup, but the game has changed beyond belief since then. Munster, even without the problems of specific players missing, were also proponents of the game, and appeared to be trusting it, but it was taking them "down" with them. However, they have realised that it is not a game that will win Rugby, just "not lose by much" when you do get beaten.

The game's strategy is overwhelming at times. Defence coaches react to offence coaches who react to defence coaches who.....
Every so often, someone is going to "solve" the issue at hand, and by doing so create a whole lot of problems for some other coach. At the moment, in Leinster at least, there's a coaching ticket with a lot going right for them. At Munster, a new coaching ticket en route with fresh ideas, sure to scatter the pidgeons. At Ulster, the right gameplan, but not squad depth, their new coach will be trusted with pushing that game out to the nether parts of his squad.

[deccie bashing]
At Ireland there is a coaching ticket enjoying having their arses kissed by the media for winning a medal in 2009, beating a vastly inferior "old enemy" at home in 2011, and "triumphing" in the southern hemisphere at RWC. But beyond that, they have been passed by by the game, and are 'crippling' players with their leash-like gameplans. Ask Conor Murray why he kicks so much for Ireland, ask Sexton the same question. Ask D'Arcy why he looks to hit crash balls and then hit the deck without looking for an offload. Ask POC why he's first receiver for any and every ruck or maul that takes place within 5m of the touchline. Ask Tuohy what the **** else he has to do to get into the squad. Ask Declan what in the name of **** is he up to, and has he any idea that the laws of the game changed 3 years ago!?
[/deccie bashing]

@OP, there's an upsurge because we're seeing a lot of rugby these days, because we're doing well in a lot of rugby these days. The marketing at Connacht and Leinster in particular have been doing themselves absolute credit in getting the game into places that weren't considered strongholds.

In the main though, I think that rugby is slowly growing internationally too, and as a result, we're certain to see an upsurge in numbers here too, mainly due to the above fact, that we're actually quite good at it!

Boxing was massive when McGuigan won medals, swimming saw huge numbers when Smith took golds etc..

It is cyclical, the most important thing is to try to keep the transients interested beyond when the initial buzz wears off. If you can do that, you grow the sport massively!

[JustinDee]

Originally Posted by godtabh

The soccer team will be playing in the European Championship this summer. Maybe you missed that?

A lot of people will, unless Ireland beat Spain.

[shuffol]

Originally Posted by godtabh

The soccer team will be playing in the European Championship this summer. Maybe you missed that?

Will they? or will they just be content to watch the opposition try to play.

[emmet02]

Originally Posted by shuffol

Will they? or will they just be content to watch the opposition try to play.

lets not do this!

The difference in playing field is beyond massive.

[Teferi]

Soccer and rugby are two completely incomparable games. Can we please not sidetrack what could be an interesting discussion by bring soccer into it?

In any case, we won't be seen as a powerhouse until we start doing well internationally which we won't until there are some massive changes at a high level in the IRFU.

[daddydick]

Awful International form in Soccer? Are you for real? In the last 4 years Rep of Ireland have played 24 competitive fixtures, losing only 2 (both at home v France and Russia). I don't have enough fingers to count how many tests the Irish rugby team have lost in the last 4 years, guessing 15-20?

Despite playing a similar amount of games and being ranked in the top 8 in the world I don't see how losing so many games, while being in a 'golden generation' backs up your argument?

[Tox56]

They may be playing dire football with average players, but they are getting results. Something Kidney appears to aspire to, but can't get the results.

[irishbucsfan]

Dunno how anyone could look at our record under kidney and suggest we're in a golden generation

[seanmc1980]

look i have heard this argument for the last 10 year, "are ireland on a crest of a wave about to take over international rugby" well put simply no. and they never have or prob never will.
Peoplewill to understand Ireland have never dominated due to our small playing base We have had 2 successful club who's are a combination of home players and international palyers.
2 clubs. France have 14 england have 12, we cant compete with that player pool.

We are realistically joint 3rd if not 4th best team in the six nation now if we aren't near the best team in the northern hemi how can we even comprehend being on the same level as the southern hemi's
Lets aim improve our position in the 6 nations before we start saying we the best in the world

[Monty Burnz]

Originally Posted by godtabh

The soccer team will be playing in the European Championship this summer. Maybe you missed that?

Yeah, but they'll most likely get hockied, or at best we'll get some 'moral victories' (draws). All the while playing a brand of football that makes me weep.

[Tox56]

Originally Posted by seanmc1980

look i have heard this argument for the last 10 year, "are ireland on a crest of a wave about to take over international rugby" well put simply no. and they never have or prob never will.
Peoplewill to understand Ireland have never dominated due to our small playing base We have had 2 successful club who's are a combination of home players and international palyers.
2 clubs. France have 14 england have 12, we cant compete with that player pool.

We are realistically joint 3rd if not 4th best team in the six nation now if we aren't near the best team in the northern hemi how can we even comprehend being on the same level as the southern hemi's
Lets aim improve our position in the 6 nations before we start saying we the best in the world

Well Leinster are the best team in Europe, so maybe we should get a new coach, and our position in world and European international rugby will start to improve.

Who cares how many players and clubs other countries have, we have the talent available we just aren't using it.

[JustinDee]

Originally Posted by Monty Burnz

Yeah, but they'll most likely get hockied, or at best we'll get some 'moral victories' (draws). All the while playing a brand of football that makes me weep.

If they win, nobody will give a stuff how they did it and that suits me just fine.