Ex-Antoine Dupont coach issues warning to England ahead of Le Crunch

There has been a university brain drain for many decades (at least since the 90s) so I'm not sure if overly relevant. Most talented youth players are identified at school and then provided a development contract with Ulster which requires them to stay in Ireland. I don't know of any young players who left to go to university and then were awarded professional rugby contacts to an English/Scottish team.

There is a rot in provincial rugby for years… just look at the number of players from Munster and Connacht as well as Ulster. It's a significant failure, one that requires robust action rather than mere fine tuning.

The question should be: Can a player add to the All Blacks environment?

Winning world cups is about squad depth, combinations within the 23, rest and rotation and team culture. Henry knew this and Erasmus knows this, any kiwi without the memory of a goldfish should know this too (2011). Rugby media in NZ are too fixated on the starting XV, let alone the makeup of the match-day 23 or even the wider squad.

Some quality 20-30ish cap loosies like Matt Todd, Liam Messam, Chris Masoe and Victor Vito added plenty to their respective teams.

As others have mentioned Kirifi could be a weapon on a 6-2 bench, with impact, clutch plays and leadership at the death, not to mention his off field impact on the squad culture. Starting XV for every match? Unlikely, but we can use him to play horses for courses and have a 6-2.

Back to the question then: Can can Kirifi add to the All Blacks environment? Yes.

I would also be surprised if there are many kids going “across the water” to schools. It is a long time since I taught and coached rugby in Ulster, but I am still in contact with family and lads I coached…have not heard any of that mentioned.

What I have heard is that a significant number now to to Uni. outside Ireland. In my day it was Queen’s or Trinity, a few to UCD.

Do you live /have lived in Ulster/Ireland, out of interest ?

I’m reading this article late at night, and will comment more tomorrow.