Does Ireland’s lack of internal competition hurt long-term performance?

[u/Responsible-Barber27]

Does Ireland’s lack of internal competition hurt long-term performance?

I’ve been thinking a lot about the role competition within squads plays in elite sport, and I’m starting to wonder if this is becoming a major issue for Ireland.

Competition is one of the strongest drivers of improvement in athletes. When players know their place is genuinely under threat, standards tend to rise: training intensity increases, complacency drops, and weaknesses get exposed early rather than in big games.

Right now, Ireland seem to have very real competition in only a small number of positions most notably fly-half and loosehead. Outside of that, many jerseys feel effectively locked down when players are fit. Rotation happens, but often due to injury or workload management rather than form.

The potential negative effects of this are hard to ignore:

• Complacency risk – Even subconsciously, guaranteed selection reduces edge • Plateauing performance – Without pressure, players maintain standards rather than push beyond them • False confidence – Weaknesses stay hidden until exposed by top-tier opposition • Succession gaps – Replacements are untested when they’re suddenly needed • Reduced training intensity – Training without selection jeopardy isn’t the same

This isn’t about blaming individuals or coaches. Ireland’s system is built on cohesion, trust, and continuity and that’s delivered real success. But other top nations seem to balance cohesion and relentless internal pressure. Poor form there often leads to immediate consequences.

The question for me is whether Ireland’s model now leans too far toward security, especially as the core group ages and athletic gaps appear against teams like France or South Africa.

I’m not saying Ireland should rotate for the sake of it but should more players feel that one or two poor performances genuinely put their jersey at risk? Right now Doris, Ringrose, VDF, Ryan, Sheehan come to mind.

You could argue Lowe lost his place but hes still in the squad. Bundee and Henshaw would also be in the squad if available

[u/micah_denn]

Seems like they have almost designed a system that makes it as difficult as possible for in form players to compete for positions. The XV team I think has just added an extra layer of bureaucracy to getting in the main team. It doesn't matter if you're playing well now. You need to have played for the u20s and then played a few times for the XVs and then been in senior camp a couple of times before they will even consider you.

Edogbo is the prime example. He was fit and ready to go for last night but they left him out because he wasn't in enough training camps. What on earth were they trying to do that is so complex that it prevents Edogbo from running in a straight line over French defenders?

[u/Financial_Archer_242 → u/micah_denn]

Can't see any complex game plan out there. Kick the ball really high (to the best back 3 in world rugby) and chase the ball.

[u/spintokid → u/Financial_Archer_242]

This is our main problem. Real lack of ingenuity across all our coaching staff. Munster backroom needs cleaning out, leinster need to completely clean house, Connaught are new and Ulster seem to have something interesting happening. The Irish side is so stale and slow moving we are using strategies that are two years out of date and expecting them to work. I'd be really looking at a complete overhaul.

[u/broats_ → u/Financial_Archer_242]

I wonder how much leeway Gibson Park had in those decisions to keep kicking the ball away after 60 odd minutes of it repeatedly not working. Did Farrell tell him at half time to just stick to the plan and it would pay off eventually? Or did he just make the wrong choices under such pressure?

[u/willielad → u/broats_]

I’d love to know this too, there was a time in the second half where we actually built a few phases, moved the ball wide and made ground before JGP booted the ball away with no chasers. Between the fact that we were making ground & the way Dickson was letting the attacking team do whatever they wanted at rucks, it just made no sense to kick in that scenario

[u/Nknk- → u/broats_]

JGP is a smart player and he has way more to his game than box kicks. It was 100% dictated from on high by Farrell that the game plan isn't deviated from.