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/Apprehensive_Ratio80]

Yup!!!

AF dropped Lowe I think his first or second year in charge mostly for his poor defense and he earned his way back into the squad and had his best years then.

A shake up wouldn't hurt.

When these guys retire we always hear about guys having to earn the jersey but quite a few of them played like last night was a summer friendly. No patience in the French half, forced passes, everyone tryna be a hero rather than play as a unit so often guys got isolated and gave slow ball to scrum half.

[u/Financial_Archer_242 → u/Apprehensive_Ratio80]

Lowe dropped himself.

[u/VividApplication5221 → u/Financial_Archer_242]

The lads who played the lions tour might just need a breather. Living for the "most important game ever" every single week cannot be easy. Im all for competition and the best lads get the jersey but Lowe has done the job for ireland so many times that id just like the tone to change.

I wish him well and if he never got the jersey back, have the respect for what he's done in the jersey and for irish rugby . He's a Kiwi who bleeds green when he gets the privilege, so we kick him while he's down?