Danny Brosnan
With the three match tour of South Africa for the Emerging Ireland squad upcoming in October, with Simon Easterby stepping back in as head coach. It raises a few issues for me.
A time and place
Like with the previous Emerging Ireland tour its happening a few rounds into the URC. Now, that’s an issue for me. Reason being is these players are more or less getting into the swing of playing or at very less contending for a spot in it. I know these disruptions happened with the November Series and Six Nations. But by then a good few rounds have been played.
I’ve no issue with the team going to South Africa, yet would it have been better to do this during the senior squad tour to S.A in July? Would make a bit more sense to me. Additionally bringing a extra provincial coach or two would help with squad preparation.
Right idea, wrong squad.
While it’s a good idea to help develop younger talent with the Emerging squad. I’d be far happier with the Wolfhounds squad instead. Simply because it’s gives fourth to sixth choice players a chance to impress regardless of age. As with most Emerging Ireland squads it’s younger players getting game time. Nothing I’ve an issue with. But this doesn’t solve the problem with the lack depth in certain areas in the senior squad here and now.
Long and short of it.
Now I know some good players have donned the Emerging Ireland Jersey. Players like Joe McCarthy, Jack Crowley, Ciaran Frawley, John Cooney, Andrew Conway, Jack McGrath, Rob Herring, Stuart McCloskey, Finlay Bealham. Yet like the A squad it didn’t produce a huge amount of players that progressed full-time to the senior Irish squad. Yet it was the right stepping stone for some players which helped both long and short term with a good balance of youth and experience. Something I believe the Emerging squad lacks.
On the right path
The right path, for me at least, it has to be the Wolfhounds. It’s just the right natural step for the best of the rest to help progress from provincial to national squad. It just brings the right balance to help young progress with experienced players. Something I don’t think the Emerging squad has.