Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Coiuld be.

What's crucial is that we make up our minds about it now, before anyone's so much as read a page. That's the important thing.

Sheahan with a 3 match ban for a dangerous clearout reduced from 4 weeks. I dont think Sheahan has ever had a ban before

Does Brendan Fanning think the Leinster schools are going to suddenly stop producing high class players. I have news for him they are getting better every year. The Leinster clubs are also upping their game and rugby is thriving. I can''t comment on the other provinces but believe there is a lot of investment going on.

Moaning about the Leinster school system is hardly a sign of 'deep thinkers' - it is a lazy trope at this stage. It isn't some fresh concept, it gets regurgitated multiple times a year.

The Leinster school system is what is keeping Irish rugby alive, yet people twist themselves in complete knots trying to find a way for it to seem like a bad thing.

It is akin to the anti-vax movement at this stage. I don't need to read the latest anti-vax book to know it belongs in a bin.

What would be much more interesting is digging in on how much money has been squandered across the other provinces to have such poor return on investment from the IRFU - at underage and professional. Digging into the blazers who oversaw such farcical situations and what can be learned from them going forward. That would however take some level of journalism so easier to take the path of least resistance, the tried and trusted click bait moan about Leinster.

Who on God's green earth mentioned the Leinster schools system?

Oh I know. You did.

The quote was about whether the IRFU had neglected the provinces. You immediately turn it into something about the Leinster schools system. There's one person throwing around lazy tropes here, and it's you.

Not every discussion about the relationships of the provinces and the central IRFU has to fixate on bloody Leinster, you know. The other three provinces have entirely separate relationships with the IRFU. Ulster have had huge financial issues and operate in a completely different financial system to the other three, with no tax rebates and 20% VAT on tickets. It's entirely appropriate to discuss that in terms how the IRFU help (or don't) Ulster manage that.

But no, "why won't everyone just give over about the Leinster schools system?"

Oof. Yes I do. Apologies @Foxtrol

Well within your rights to be annoyed if that's all Fanning is doing. Hadn't re-read the original post about this since I first saw it.

So yes, sorry @Foxtrol

Sorry, TheV - dunno what came over me…

No problem - appreciate the apology.

I agree with the elements of your other post that weren't having a go at me 😀. Digging into the likes of Ulster jurisdiction situation is far more interesting. What impact that has, while the counterpoint being the cost of living for players etc.

There is a never ending list of insider information from within provinces that I'd be willing to pay to read, both how they work (or dont) and how they interact with the IRFU.

If the thesis statement is that provinces are 'neglected', like the OP says, I'd hope he actually provides significant evidence to prove that.

Each province could have their own book(s) written on inept decisions that led to significant wasting of IRFU resources. Just look at provinces being barely able to produce a top international player outside of Leinster underage system or abroad for a generation (the most recent Lions tourists are all the evidence you need). I'd read about the internal IRFU conflict and discussions with provinces as they deals with this poor output, how much they get their hands involved in coaching hiring/firing, player acquisition/movement, forcing structures, supporting facilities (both training and stadiums).

All of that is much more fascinating than the copy and paste history and finger pointing drivel that it sounds like Fanning is trying to peddle.

That's not the case at all with the list of guys here - of the 19 guys referenced, I think your description only applies to 9 players (Dylan Tierney Martin, Niall Murray, Darragh Murray, Caolin Blade, Matt Devine, Cathal Forde, Hugh Gavin, Shane Jennings, Fiachna Barrett)?

Denis Buckley is from Creggs, but was a 6 year boarder in Blackrock. Finlay Bealham is from Aus, and only moved to Connacht as an 18-19 year old. Dave Heffernan from Mayo, boarder in Blackrock.

Cian Prendergast is from Kildare, went to Newbridge, and captained Leinster Schools. Paul Boyle is from Wexford, played Leinster Youths. Chay Mullins is from Bristol in the UK, Billy Bohan from Kildare, went to Newbridge, Eanna McCarthy is from Cork and went to CBC, Sean Naughton from Kilkenny, went to Kilkenny College and James Nicholson went to Michaels.

52% of the players is not a "small percentage" from elsewhere, though I do agree with you it's getting better in recent years.

Yeah, I agree it's going the right direction, and most encouragingly, you're seeing these really high potential younger players coming through Connacht pathways: guys like Matt Devine, Hugh Gavin, Cathal Forde, and some of the Academy guys like Fiachna Barrett, Tomas Farthing & Sean Walsh.

It's a good sign that the standards of coaching and competitiveness is improving throughout the province.

there is a fine balance to be kept though and as much as a little bit more movement between provinces could be good, i also have zero interest in supporting leinster 'B' masquerading as my team. id imagine most other supporters would be of a similar opinion too