It has been a source of robust debate and occasional resentment that Leinster are surging so far ahead of the other provinces that the others are starting to fear they might never catch up. Former Ulster coach Dan McFarland even called it out before departing last year.
The conveyor belt of quality players from the schools, and the crowds Leinster have attracted this season to the Aviva Stadium and Croke Park, have given them a financial edge the envy of most clubs around the world.
At a briefing with IRFU performance director David Humphreys at the Irish squad hotel in their training base in Quinta do Lago, it was spelled out that the IRFU wish to see Leinster maintain their position at the top of European rugby and that it is up to the other three provinces, with help from the IRFU, to try to close the gap.
Who will start at 10 for Ireland during the Six Nations?
The message was crystal clear that nothing will be done to stifle a Leinster system that provides so many players to the Ireland team.
The IRFU’s aim is for Ireland to always be in the top four of the world rankings.
Numbers were presented for context. The Ireland under-18, under-19 and under-20 male squads total 100 players. Of that group seven are from Connacht, 17 come from Munster and 23 from Ulster. There are 50 Leinster players. Of the original 36-man squad selected by Simon Easterby for this year’s Six Nations, 23 are from Leinster.
“At this moment in time, Leinster have been unbelievably successful,” said Humphreys. “Everyone around the world of rugby is looking to what Leinster are doing in their system to produce the players and the success they’ve had. For me, it’s about making sure that Leinster remain where they are.
“We want Leinster winning Champions Cup, we want Leinster in finals of the URC, as we want all the provinces, but at this minute in time, that’s the level they’re competing at. So, it’s much more a case of maintaining Leinster where they are, but making sure the support that goes to the other provinces allows them to continue their progression and move.”
Any notion of providing the other provinces with more money was also gently shot down, although, the former Ulster and Ireland outhalf understands that off-pitch resentment and disillusionment from fans of other teams is a real possibility, if not already embedded in attitudes.
“That’s definitely a risk,” said Humphreys. “People are getting frustrated especially in provinces where supporters have been used to success, been used to competing at the very top level. For sure that’s a challenge but ... I’ve always believed if we can get the product right on the pitch, we know that the supporters will come back.
“To go back to the point where the whole system is under review and from an IRFU point of view that means making sure the high-performance game is linked very closely with the domestic game and we are making decisions that will allow the game as a whole to thrive – every aspect of it.
“We heard Kevin Potts (chief executive) last November with the financial results this year with a 20 million loss, or, 18 million loss. I think his quote was something along the lines of we can’t continue to do what we’ve always done. There is a financial pressure across the whole system. Our priority will always be the men’s XV and the women’s XV, making sure they are competitive. Part of the pathways include the underage teams but also the provinces, so we have to find ways to support every level of the system to ensure we are competitive at provincial level and national level.”
Humphreys could not put a timeline on when Munster will have a permanent coach but he hopes it will be soon. Ian Costello, Munster’s head of operations who took over last October as the province’s interim head coach following the departure of Graham Rowntree, has ruled himself out of any shortlist to become their next permanent coach.
“We would hope it would be within a few weeks,” said Humphreys. “The whole thing in coaching and appointments is never making a rash decision. It’s such an important appointment for Munster, not so much for the rest of the season because they have a very good coaching team in place with Ian Costello and Mike Prendergast, who have managed them through the last few months with support from Chris Boyd.
“We have confidence with the people who are in the room, but it’s making sure that the process we now go through ensures we are giving Munster the best chance to be successful and continue to be competitive.”
The 53-year-old also said he had spoken to Felix Jones, a double World Cup winning coach with the Springboks under Rassie Erasmus. Jones resigned as defence coach with Steve Borthwick’s England and the Rugby Football Union last year and is now based in Dublin.
“Felix has been ongoing,” said Humphreys. “But it’s not something in the short term.”
