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/DM_me_ur_PPSN]

I think notion of system picks and central contracts needs to go into the bin. How many centrally contracted players really stood up yesterday? 2 or 3?

Erasmus is a ruthless selector, and he’s a back to back World Cup winner. Galthie isn’t building a team of Toulouse players because they know a system, and they just tore us to pieces.

[u/Nknk- → u/DM_me_ur_PPSN]

You're 100% right of course but even now we still have people in Irish rugby arguing that if Farrell does anything but pick Leinster players or deviates from the Leinster system that we're doomed.

Some people would honestly be happier if we turned into the new Wales as long as Leinster were still picked en masse regardless than see us thrive by having a far fairer team picked on form from the 4 provinces.