Ex-Ireland duo address the underlying issue threatening to dismantle Irish rugby
‘We’re only raising one basket’ – Jackson questions the future of Irish rugby amid French dominance
It could be argued that Irish rugby has now gone beyond its peak, and is currently stumbling down what could easily become a dangerous downhill.
The most successful club in Irish rugby history failed yet again to bring home European silverware this year, crashing out in the latter stages for the fifth time in a row. In each of those five competitions, a French side has gone on to win, extending an already impressive record.
When asked why French teams are currently dominating Europe, former Ireland front-rower Bernard Jackman claimed the French set up was very inclusive.
Mahamadou Diaby’s rise from kickboxer to rugby player
Using the example of Bordeaux-Begles flanker Mahamadou Diaby, the guest pundit on RTE Sport explained:
“Diaby was watching the Rugby World Cup 2007 on TV from a very tough part of Paris. There was no rugby club near him. He was a kickboxer at age 15 and he said ‘I could play rugby, I’m physical’.
“He went to Stade Francais, knocked on the door looking for a trial, but they said ‘we don’t give trials to people don’t play for a club’. So he went to Racing and they tested him and gave him a contract, and now 14 years later, having had numerous clubs, he’s playing here [in a Champions Cup final].
“They have all this talent and all these clubs, and yet they create opportunities for people who have a physical ability to stay in the game, and that’s scary.
“Our pathway is very traditional,” the 49-year-old continued. “We haven’t really opened up the game to different areas as much as we could have. Their clubs are very inclusive and are willing to give time to develop them.”
READ MORE: Comment: Maxime Lucu ‘steps out of the shadow’ to lead Bordeaux-Begles to their ‘greatest moment’
Heaslip compares the club set ups
Evolving on Jackman’s point, former Ireland great Jamie Heaslip added: “They’ve more players, more clubs, more entry points into the game, so if you don’t make it in one club you can bounce around numerous clubs to find your spotlight.
“In Ireland there’s four professional clubs, that’s it. Options are limited and the fall off probably happens a whole lot quicker.
“I would be slightly concerned given the age profile of a lot of these [Irish] teams that are at the top level coming through. You’re seeing the knock-on effect in terms of England going well, France going particularly well and potentially going to be dangerous sides going forward.”
Jackman warning not to rely on Leinster
Jackman concluded that it is “imperative” that they don’t just become “reliant on Leinster.”
“It’s great to see Angus Bell going to Ulster, Clayton McMillan coming into Munster. We need to try and boost the other three, so we’ve four teams going into Europe every year with a fighting chance. At the moment we’re all raising one basket.”
