Across The Gain Line . . . with Colm Kinsella

LEADING UK rugby clubs are continuing to try and lure the cream of Munster and Ireland’s under-age rugby talent cross-channel.
Scouts representing the top rugby clubs in England are attending top level schools cup and under-age inter-provincial matches on a regular basis in their quest to identify ‘inert rugby talent’ which they hope to entice cross channel and introduce to their own systems.
Speaking at a presentation in Limerick this week which outlined the work of the IRFUs National Talent Programme, High performance Manager, Allen Clarke said he knew of one promising young Limerick player who had been ‘tagged’ for a potential move cross-channel by one of England’s top Premiership rugby clubs in his teenage years.
The player in question had turned down the offer of a move to England and continued to develop and flourish within the Munster Academy set-up.
Allen Clarke, a former Heineken Cup medal winner with Ulster, admitted the scouting threat posed by English clubs was of concern.
“We know there are people here active on the ground working for English clubs- not necessarily Irish people- who come over here to watch our inter-provincial championships and watch our schools cup at the top end of it in order to identify what they call ‘inert talent.’ Inter talent is talent which has not been trained,” Allen Clarke explained.
“Those clubs believe the English player is over-trained and programmed. As a result of that they are looking for players in the flair positions, in particular.”
The IRFU has developed its National Talent Programme to ensure that the best young rugby talent in this country are able to develop to their full potential as professional rugby players and remain in Ireland.
The programme aims to develop champions for the provinces and Ireland. Through a partnership with schools and clubs, the programme aims to provide the best possible resources and support.
Allen Clarke explained that under the system there were seven years of development before a talented young rugby player become a professional sportsman.
“We are building a foundation to that the player is getting eight to 10 years in the game. That is critical,” Allen Clarke explained.
“As opposed to picking up a 19-year-old and trying to fast-tracking him through the system, we are working with players aligned to the long-term player development pathway.”
The IRFU has established a number of Regional Talent Programmes around the country.
The programme caters for players from U-16 to U-18 in regional talent squads.
In Munster, the players are divided into four areas, North, South, East and West Munster.
The next level up in development is the National Talent Programme. Players who have been identified from the regional talent programme who have the talent, ambition and attitude to warrant further investment in are receiving specific fitness and technical support from elite player development officers and conditioning coaches.
Allen Clarke explained: “We have 551 players catered for the National Talent Programme this summer. There are 159 in Munster, not including academy players.”
The National Talent Programme worked up to sub-academy and academy level.
Allan Clarke said the rugby academies were about confirmation.
“Gone are the days when our Academies are about screening out players for one or two years and deciding whether they are going to be good enough or not,” Allen Clarke said.
“It is critical that the players coming into the academy are doing so to confirm their potential as professionals.
“That way we are not parading false illusions for players and we are ensuring that the quality that is being invested in the academy is getting a significant return.”
Clarke and IRFU Director of Rugby, Eddie Wigglesworth held a briefing for Clubs and Schools on the Academy and National Talent Programme at Thomond Park Stadium this Tuesday.