Sir In analysing objectively the current situation of English based Irish rugby players, and in particular the London Irish based players and the reluctance of their clubs to release them for the inter-provincial series and the forthcoming European Cup, have a brief few words.
Most of the players who went to England have never been members of the successful domestic Irish rugby teams. This is particularly the case with teams in the All Ireland League, such as St Mary's, Old Wesley and Dungannon. Apart from Keith Wood and Richard Wallace from Garryowen, no players from the other most successful club teams in the country, namely Shannon and Young Munster, are currently plying their trade in England. Over the last five years, these three teams between them have always won the All Ireland League.
The lesson is that if you buy players from teams that have never proved themselves and never won anything you are not going to be successful. A team such as London Irish, if it wanted to be successful, should have bought some Limerick players. However, the good thing to come out of "our best players" going to England is that Limerick rugby teams will go on winning.
Also, just look at the appalling representation of Limerick rugby players on the Irish team. Last year there were, at most, two Limerick based players selected. A brief look at other countries shows that players from the most successful domestic league sides have the most representation on their national teams.
A second lesson is that until we decide to pick the players who have proved themselves at club level here in Ireland (their track record speaks for themselves), we will never have a successful national team. It would not happen anywhere else. Yours, etc., St Francis Square, Dublin 6.