Danny Brosnan
Sometimes an unwritten rule comes into place that seems to draw the ire of certain people. In this case it’s the “no province, no call-up” rule. But is it a good idea to have it in place? Does it serve a benefit to the national team? Does it help younger players Provincially and internationally?
Before the rule.
It was under David Nuicifiora that the rule came in. A rule the head of performance felt was necessary to keep our best players provincially locked in. But that wasn’t always the case.
Jonathan Sexton had two seasons at Racing 92 and still lined out. Tommy Bowe while at Ospreys, Geordan Murphy with Leicester amongst many others still lined out for Ireland while plying there trade in fields farther away. No one really seemed to mind as Ireland were in an upward curve since Ulsters 1999 champions cup win. Both provincially and internationally.
I’ll say nothing about Connacht nearly going under or our quarter final nightmares.
But was it the right call to cut off any player that decided to leave these shores for experience or money?
Home advantage.
There’s a few advantages to this rule.
Firstly, as we’ve seen, it gives the IRFU protocols to be implemented easier in terms of player welfare and rotation.
Secondly it makes the head coach of the national teams job alot easier in one respect to view the player’s available that suit his system.
Lastly, and possibly more importantly, players will gel easier if they are used to playing with each on a regular basis both provincially as well as internationally.
This is an understated fact as each player likes to pass/receive the ball in different ways depending on the situation and having this sixth sense muscle memory helps. It’s not just the passing it’s also easier to adapt in other ways as well like scrums, lineouts, defensive and offensive positioning.
Some of more successful sides have also had a lot of core players from two provinces. The 2009 grand slam winning squad had 6 Munster players in the pack and with a Leinster and Ulster men making up the last two spots. In the backs it was a Munster half back pairing with four of the seven back being Leinster players and an Ulster winger. So this actually players a big part in the team settling as a unit.
The natural hierarchy of the squad is also an important aspect. Having it from the four teams make it easier for the captain and the main leadership core to get the team performing as a unit.
The grass isn’t always greener.
Don’t get wrong. I’ve no problem with players going to another for experience and money. But is it really worth both provincially and internationally?
Let’s say the IRFU lift the rule completely. Irish players can take the money move and the door is always open to play international games regardless of club or league. How’s that going to effect the game here?
As previously mentioned. Cohesion of the national team will take those extra few games to get the team playing better.
But if the core 31 players are playing across three plus different leagues in a multitude of different teams that’s going to make it a lot harder for players to get together. The experience and knowledge they’ll bring back will be great. But will that be a help or a hindrance to the team.
But how does that affect the provinces? Simply put if any big name gets a better offer abroad than at provincial levels there’ll be a good chance they’ll take it. With World Rugby qualification, with the granny, international playing and residence laws, the way they are other countries could not only offer bigger money but the lure of international rugby for better money also. So any good player that’s either young with bags of potential or good enough for an international could be lured away. That leaves us playing catch up financially. That’s something that’s going to be made a lot harder if the big name players likes Hansen, Henderson, Sheehan and Crowley aren’t in the squad. Let’s face it, if the main international players aren’t playing with a province that’s less people going to games. Which means less money going into the pockets the provinces and IRFU. Of course with the talented players leaving that means less league and European success. I’m sure I’m not the only one feeling annoyed if I saw the likes of Casey or Crowley doing the league and European double with Northampton or La Rochelle. Nevermind any other club outside the province.
Then there’s the old club vs country. Would English, French or even Super Rugby be willing to release players for international duty?
The penny drops.
As great as it would be to have the players available for selection regardless of where they play. For me at least, it has more negatives than positives. Between the possible decimation of the provincial sides, financially and possibly player wise. The players having to deal with either a huge amount of minutes or hardly any plus the increased potential of injuries. Is this something the IRFU, investors and more importantly the supporters want? Would they really be happy with the cream of the crop abroad only to return for international duty? Would they still go and support there province even if it meant struggling against teams like Zebre, Scarlet’s and so forth?. It’s not worth it for me. For me the best have to be at a the provinces to get selected for international games.
I’m also aware there’s good Irish players abroad in some key positions we’re struggling in. But like Tadhg Beirne, going abroad got him noticed and I’m sure the scouts are looking for any good qualified players for the provinces and national team. But they’ve gotta be with a province to be in with a shout to get to the national squad. The benefits of staying at a province out way the benefits of leaving. So leave as is.