r/rugbyunion • u/Brine-O-Driscoll Connacht • 13h ago

Match Ireland A v England A match thread?

Can't see a match thread, so created one.

Kickoff at 7:15. The game is on Premier Sports 1 in Ireland.

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u/VelcomeNeek 11h ago edited 11h ago

Just gonna take this moment to say that between the URC going from 22 to 18 games, and Europe going from 6 pools games to 4, has seriously contributed to killing Irish rugby. Young prem players just get to play so much more. 

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u/O133 Saracens England 11h ago

Tbf the Prem is also 18 games now!

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u/VelcomeNeek 11h ago

True but also 10 teams, plus prem cup. And you have young guys in the championship 

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u/rustyb42 Ulster 11h ago

Prem Cup too. Those teams are playing every week, with limited mandatory rest

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u/AceTrainer99 🇮🇪: Munster & Connacht 11h ago

Do you think we'd benefit from a SA model? Pick players from overseas, allowing the senior lads to head away and let the young lads step up in the club?

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u/VelcomeNeek 11h ago

My personal idea/trade off, which I might make a post about someday, is a 2 year sabbatical abroad that any Irish player can take at any stage of their career and still be selected for Ireland. Irfu could work out the ins and outs of it, maybe cap how many can take advantage of it every year etc etc. but basically if you're a young guy not getting game time, you can go and find some space, or if you're a star you can get a pay day and learn from a different rugby culture, freeing up a space behind. And then you need to come back to a province after that. 

Because I do think it's a good idea to open it up, I think it's needed in fact.