D’Arcy: Ireland must expand player pool
In his column today Gordon D'Arcy looks at the brilliant progress made by Connacht and their star centre Robbie Henshaw this season, and suggests it is time Pat Lam's men were no longer treated as Ireland's junior province.
Last weekend Connacht secured a first win at Thomond Park since 1986 to stay top of the Pro 12 table, with Henshaw delivering a brilliant performance from fullback, and D’Arcy believes, “the victory was confirmation that after being granted improved support structures these past two years, Connacht have earned the right to become a formal, full province. It’s time for equality.”
D’Arcy argues that in order to strengthen the national sides and the provinces Ireland “need to be picking from a pool of 100 plus players,” and a way of doing this is by treating Connacht as equals of Leinster, Munster and Ulster.
He writes: “If the provinces are to compete, never mind win the Champions Cup but remain competitive at European level, there needs to be increased fluidity between the provinces rather than other provinces stripping Connacht of their most prized assets.”
And a move away from the Sportsground for their current prized asset, Henshaw, might not necessarily be the best thing for the 22-year-old, “the argument he will improve as a player with Leinster or Munster doesn’t really stack up as he’s clearly growing at a rapid pace regardless,” writes D’Arcy.
Meanwhile New Zealand Maori lock Hayden Triggs has said he considers it a privelege to be playing for Leinster, and refuses to believe the province are currently a shadow of their former selves.
No League Cup upsets
There were no upsets in the quarter-finals of the League Cup last night with Manchester City, Everton and Stoke City all progressing against Championship opposition.
City cruised past a second string Hull side 4-1 at Eastlands, Gerard Deulofeu produced two moments of genius to help the Toffees past Middlesbrough at the Riverside while Sheffield Wednesday were beaten 2-0 at the Britannia.
No window of return for Tiger
Elsewhere Tiger Woods has admitted he has no current timetable for a return to golf following back-surgery in October.
Hurling proposals good for the game
In his column today Sean Moran suggests recent proposals made by the Hurling Development Committee at Croke Park on Tuesday, which would lead to the creation of 38 regional teams in the 16/17 age group playing in a tournament within a sustained eight-week period, will be good for the development of the game.
Elliott a worthy challenger to Mullins
Meath trainer Gordon Elliott has established himself as a real rival to Willie Mullins, boasting Ireland's top-rated chaser Don Cossack among his hefty artillery, and he spoke to Brian O'Connor ahead of the lucrative Christmas window.
What to watch out for
Keep an eye out today as we open the second window in our sporting advent calendar. We’ll be bringing you one of our highlights from 2015 every day on the countdown to Christmas.
Football
Southampton welcome Liverpool to St Mary’s in the final League Cup quarter-final. (SS1, 7.45pm ko)
