Johnny Watterson talks to the 34-year-old outhalf whose international career is testament to his talent but also highlights Ireland's limited options
Highlighting one of the system's defects was not supposed to be part of the agenda yesterday. But after Irish outhalf David Humphreys stepped up to the podium at Citywest in Dublin, he found himself spending the next 20 minutes answering questions on the 2007 World Cup, questions for which he had few answers.
Perhaps as a qualified lawyer he will come to perfect the patter, but in the run-in to Ireland's final autumn international - against Romania on Saturday - the Ulster player, was, for his fifth time, named as Ireland captain and placed in the familiar if onerous position of the team's choreographer.
With 71 caps and at 34 years of age, Humphreys' venerable position within the Ireland squad has, over the last 10 years, been both a testament to the player's talent and dedication, but also a point of focus on Ireland's inability to nurture number 10s, at least to the satisfaction of the man who runs his eye over their contours, Eddie O'Sullivan.
As O'Sullivan again puts his trust in the regarded playmaker and kicker, Humphreys also remains unable to commit himself to Ireland's World Cup campaign. While you might get the feeling that the player's arm is being twisted to extend his career until 2007, both he and O'Sullivan are guarded.
It is a moot point as to where the pressure, if any, is coming from or who is applying it. O'Sullivan has steadfastly stuck to the line that there is no other player, at this point, within touching distance of either Humphreys or Ronan O'Gara.
Disappointing. But more importantly where, in the absence of Humphreys, is Ireland going to turn up a seasoned 10 in such a short space of time?
"It's (playing until 2007) something that I hadn't considered until I had an informal discussion with Eddie O'Sullivan, and that's as far as it's gone," said Humphreys. "It's something I haven't thought about at all.
"When I sit down and think, there are a huge number of issues involved in it. I'd always planned to retire at the end of the season. No secret to that.
"Things have changed slightly now, and I'm going to have to consider that in the course of the next few months. I'm going to have to sit down with people whose judgment I respect and hopefully come up with the right decision. It's not a case of wavering. It's simply that I have to weigh up all the options. Rugby aside, there are also a number of other issues involved in it.
"This time last year I probably wasn't enjoying my rugby as much as I am now. Because Ulster has done well this year, there is really a very good buzz about the squad and I'm really enjoying it. It's all those small things that will ultimately be a big influence on whatever happens. As I've said, there have been no negotiations or anything, so maybe these are moot points."
A profession in law, which has been put on hold, as well as family considerations, and a body that has survived almost 10 years of international rugby are all part of the equation. With an added twist, his younger brother Ian, who is now playing with Shane Jennings, Leo Cullen and Geordan Murphy in the Leicester squad, is one of a number of players who would aspire to take his place. He may get his chance, but as yet, O'Sullivan has not asked the older Humphreys outright whether he will stay on.
"We've just had informal discussions at this stage," insists Humphreys. "It hasn't really been that sort of discussion. No, there's no pressure. In some ways it's a good situation to be in. At least I have choices. It's not something I expected.
"Obviously there are personal considerations and they will be a factor. Obviously the coaches have their views. To be honest, I haven't thought about it enough to make a decent logical answer here now. Don't want to dig myself into a hole."
With 54-cap O'Gara on the bench for the 71-cap captain, the other question is whether Ireland can afford to have a 30-year-old and a 36-year-old as their number 10s for the 2007 finals.
