Do the Provinces have a serious depth crisis?

     The World Cup final on the 31st of October passed with remarkably little buzz across Ireland in the fallout from the Quarter-Final defeat to a more than deserving Argentinian side. Expectations had never been higher from an Irish perspective, the pre-World Cup brief period Ireland enjoyed ranked second in the world only serving to heighten. Expectation had spiralled out of control well before this and why wouldn't it? Ireland had earned consecutive 6 Nations Championships under the mighty Schmidt. Sure we nearly beat the All Blacks in 2013. The draw was highly in our favour, we had to make at least the semi-finals. That was the wide held belief anyway.
     Ireland's somewhat muted exit from the World Cup was attributed to key players being injured or suspended by the pundits, fans, management and even players. There was a real sense that we were unlucky and that with those key personal we would have marched on to a clash with Cheik's revolutionised Australian side. The loss of talismen O'Connell and Sexton as well as the brutish O'Mahony, abrasive O'Brien and crucial structural safety of Payne proving too much for Ireland.
     Before this there was a real sense that Ireland had real depth. 2007's failings were firmly behind us, no longer did this Irish team rely on an XV, we had 31 players, maybe even more, with real World beating quality. The World Cup reminded us harshly of just how false this belief was. Madigan was exposed, despite his impressive display against France, as being significantly inferior to Sexton. Earls demonstrated that the age old question of where to play him will seemingly never be answered. He isn't an Outside-Centre despite the brief two month period leading up to and through the World Cup where the majority of us believed Schmidt couldn't get selection wrong. He was constantly nailed seconds after receiving passes and rarely looked capable of getting near the gainline. Watch Payne throughout his time in an Irish shirt. He carries well, makes yards, doesn't shy away from contact, rarely gets turned over and above all gives Ireland go-forward ball in the wide channels. Earls wasn't capable of replicating this. Henry and Murphy too showed the remarkably difference between themselves and O'Brien and O'Mahony. The performance of the back-row against Argentina is comparable to a whimper when you look at the aggression, commitment and abrasion Ireland's first choice 6 and 7 bring to the table. Perhaps the injury which was felt the least was the one suspected of bringing the most damage. O'Connell's absence was softened in the knowledge that Henderson was emerging as one of Ireland's most vital players and that Toner was by now an established starter in the Irish team. The loss of O'Connell was not felt by a lack of depth in personal, but in a lack of depth of leadership. With Ireland's backs to the wall Heaslip did not embody any sense of fight or will, Sunday's loss to Wasps highlighting this further. While Ireland lsot arguably their five most vital players, would this happen to other countries? Take Carter, Retallick, McCaw, Nonu and Savea out of New Zealand's team for example. In step Barrett, Thrush, Cane, Sonny Bil Williams and Naholo. That is depth, Ireland don't have that.
      The problem is not in selection. It is in depth. The root cause of this issue is the lack of players that the provinces are producing. Ulster, save for Herring, have not produced any International quality front-rows in years. Munster too, aside from Kilcoyne and Cronin, have provided very little at a national level in this area. Connacht have demonstrated that they are beginning to push players froward for national selection. Nathan White and perhaps Denis Buckley are in the mix for squad places now. This is dwarfed by the sudden reliance Ireland have had to have on Leinster for Front-Row players. There is McGrath, Healy, Strauss, Cronin, Bent, Moore and Furlong. All of which are regulars in the Irish squad at this stage.
      If you look at out-half the provinces have been incredibly ineffective and arguably grossly neglecgent at producing Irish talent. Sexton's move to Racing 92 prompted a key moment for Leinster, Ireland and Ian Madigan. Leinster immediately made moves to gain IRFU approval to sign a replacement out-half. This is where the first mistake was made. The second was clearly O'Connor's continued selection of Gopperth over Madigan in key games at ten. Madigan either reduced to the bench or wearing 12 or 15. Clearly Madigan was someone who Ireland were looking at to compete with Sexton at international level for the jersey. The IRFU allowing Leinster to sign a player to replace Sexton that in turn marginalised and stunted the development of Madigan was beyond ridiculous. The failure to give Madigan two seasons as Leinster's number one out-half has to be a massive regret and is representative of a failing on the part of all. At Ulster the opposite is true as Paddy Jackson has been given every opportunity to flourish and reach the massive potential many saw in him at a young age. Since the Heineken Cup Quarter-Final in 2012 he has been Ulsters out-half as Humphreys was usurped in the aftermath of announcing he was leaving to club for London Irish. While Jackson has not reached the levels expected of him he has been given every chance to do so, a lesson Leinster could learn from. In this position Munster deserve rich criticism in how they have approached the inevitable post-O'Gara slump. Keatley, O'Gara's understudy, was promoted to first choice following his retirement and patience was given to him in bounds. Penney in particular understood that creating a rivalry between him and the exciting talent of JJ Hanrahan was vital to enhancing the performances of both men. Penney switched it up and gave both their chances before Foley changed the grand strategy once and for all. Keatley's place was set in stone with Hanrahan getting his chances off the bench or like Madigan at 12 and 15. Hanrahan felt he was not being given enough opportunity and move abroad in search of more. Hanrahan is one of the most exciting talents to come out of the Munster academy in a long time. He has the potential to be world class and it is a catastaphoe that he was allowed to leave Munster. There is a real sense that Keatley has reach his best. Hanrahan's performances were not far off Keatley, but he should have been given the starting shirt as an investment for the future.
    The issue of Centre is perhaps one of the most well documented and is being compounded by the IRFU allowing the provinces to sign foreign talent in this area. There is Ben Te'o at Leinster, Bundee Aki at Connacht(although he is a Project Player) and Francis Saili at Munster. Munster have little option at 13 either picking Saili or Earls for the most part. Leinster have more options in McFadden and Fitzgerald among others, but again Te'o gets the nod in the majority of vital games. The Centre issues are due to poor policy by the IRFU and not the provinces. Aside from D'Arcy and O'Driscoll the Centre has been an issue for Irish rugby for years. Munster have arguably never been able to produce fully in the Centre and have been leaning on a host of foreign talent...Halstead, Mafi, Tipoki, Tuitupou, Bleyendaal and Saili show this well. Signing foreign talent won't help the province in the long-term or indeed Ireland at all.
     The issue of Scrum-Half has been plugged by the sudden and quick rise of Conor Murray in 2011, but beyond Murray Ireland are in a very weak position. Boss is hanging on at the threads with retirement imminent, Reddan too, while still making a positive contribution in attack, continues to defend very weakly and box-kick much less effectively than Murray. Reddan is 35 this week, he should not be selected for Ireland again as the future has to be looked at. Kieron Marmion at Connacht and Luke McGrath at Leinster bring pace to the game and are both highly talented individuals. They should be given every chance with Ireland as soon as possible. Tomas O'Leary could provide a temporary buffer for Ireland on the replacements bench.
     The Second-Row, Back-Row and Wing/Full-Back seem to the only areas where the majority of the provinces are producing indigenous talent capable of playing at international level at this moment in time. The rest of the team is largely made up of key players. Ireland do not have the depth to have genuine competition for places in these position and have allowed the provinces, despite their seemingly strict measures on the use of NIEs(Non-Irish Qualified players), to continually erode the process of bringing forward Irish talent. Where there is a perceived gap it is plugged with foreign talent, where there is an abundance of Irish talent a blockage occurs. There is little movement of Irish players from province to province and why isn't there? Madigan moving to Munster makes logical sense at this point in time, as it did for Conway. He will more than likely become first choice and make Munster and Ireland stronger in the process. Jack McGrath to Ulster is another that gained momentum last year. Ulster require a quality loose-head and McGrath need constant game-time. While himself and Healy enjoy effectively a job-share scenario it is evident that Ireland would benefit more if McGrath or indeed Healy were to switch provinces. Sean Cronin or Richardt Strauss is another example before you even consider Leinster's options in the Back-Row. The talent needs to spread out, players need to take their careers into their own hands. Andrew Conway is one of the few to bravely switch allegiances. More players doing so would be to their individual benefit and Ireland's benefit. Hanrahan is one of the few to put himself first in the modern era, more players need to follow suit if their provinces continue to not give talent its chance.

Ireland's potential World Cup squad

Before the World Cup Ireland face Wales away from home on August 8th, Scotland at home on the 15th of August, Wales at home of the 29th of August before finishing off with a fixture against England at Twickenham on the 5th of September. These games will dictate the choices that Schmidt will ultimately make for his World Cup squad, but for now a little speculation couldn't hurt. Here's a look at who we think will make the final 31 for Ireland's World Cup squad.

Front-Row

Irish Rugby now boasts perhaps its richest set of front-row forwards ever, in terms of depth and quality. Long gone are the days where Tom Court came off the bench for a measly five minutes to replace either Horan or Hayes, which one didn't really matter. Now, Ireland have players who can make a potent impact off the bench at 1, 2 and 3.

At Loose-Head Healy, McGrath, Kilcoyne, Buckley and Bent are all currently in camp. Serious issues have been raised over the incumbent's, Healy, fitness as he recovers from neck surgery in May. McGrath started four out of Ireland's five tests during this years six nations and is a very good option at 1. Healy and McGrath both being fit will be key to Ireland's chances, but Healy is vital to Ireland in the set-piece, defence and attack - he needs to be fit for Ireland to fulfill their potential. Ireland's depth here is typified by the fact that Munster's James Cronin doesn't even get a look in.

At Hooker Ireland really have three serious options in Cronin, Strauss and Best with Rob Herring providing solid back up. Cronin has taken every opportunity given to him since Strauss' injury and health troubles in 2013 and 2014 and is now Leinster's firm first choice as well as Ireland's second choice. 'Nugget's' pace, ball-handling and carrying are superb and will pose a serious challenge to Rory Best, whose consistent(Expect 2013) Line-out throwing, Scrummaging, tackling and breakdown  work make him akin to an additional flanker on the field. Strauss offers a mould of the abilities of Best and Cronin, a strong ball-carrier and scrummager with perhaps the most reliable line-out throw of the three, however he still remains a distant third in the pecking order. Best's leadership qualities push him ahead of Cronin, but the former Munster academy player will be a vital asset off the bench when defences start to tire.

Tight-Head is the one position in the front-row where Ireland have little strength and depth. Mike Ross proved his worth during this years 6 Nations following his infamous dropping at the hands of O'Connor in January's Champions Cup fixtures and will head into the World Cup warm-ups as Ireland's first choice. The emergence of Martin Moore in the past couple of years has been most welcome with the Lansdowne Prop settling into international rugby pretty effectively. Moore needs more experience in the green jersey to settle into his true international potential and this needs to happen sooner or later as Ross will eventually have to retire as did the seemingly perpetually effective Hayes. Pray that Ross has another 3 months left in him at the very least. Tadhg Furlong completes a trio of Leinstermen covering Tight-Head in Ireland's squad. Undoubtedly an exciting talent, Furlong has demonstrated his ability firmly since breaking onto the scene at the RDS. He will be around for a long time and will earn a lot of Ireland caps with definite potential to be a Lion. However, while talented he is still developing as a player and but barring injury this World Cup will come too soon for him. Watch this space, Furlong will be one of Ireland's leading players in four years time.

Ireland will likely take 8 Front-rowers; three Loose-Heads, three Hookers and two Tight-Heads.

Prediction: Healy(If fit - Buckley if not), Kilcoyne, McGrath, Best, Cronin, Strauss, Ross, Moore.


Second-Row

At Lock Ireland look to really have good options for the number four shirt. The debate over who starts at five is non-existent, as it should be. The question remains who should start beside Toulon's latest galactico and as does who should replace them after 55-65 minutes. Devin Toner has improved dramatically over the past few seasons and now can count himself among the best line-out operators in the world game. His scrummaging and ball-carrying, which both long held him back, have come on massively and he looks the obvious choice at four.
It won't be easy for Toner as Donnacha Ryan's return from a lengthy toe injury sees him brought into a Schmidt Ireland squad for the first time. Ryan is a world class player on top form and will add a lot to any team his is involved with, particularly in the short exchanges. It is hard to say where exactly the hard-nosed Lock is in terms of form, but our bet is he is up to scratch.
The hype over Iain Henderson is unavoidable, the giant Lock-cum-blindside flanker appears on first instance like a slightly dazed scruffy teenager with the body of a weightlifter, but the Ulsterman is a seriously seriously talented individual. He will make the World Cup squad firstly on merit and secondly due to his versatility. He is another who will be a key player for Ireland in 2019 and will push Toner close for a starting place.
Dan Tuohy is the firm outsider of the five to make the squad; Toner and O'Connell are the incumbents and Henderson and Ryan can cover two positions, so what does the former Exeter Chief bring? He is a different player to the other four, he is dynamic, he is quick and he has fantastic hands. Injury has blighted his emergence onto the international scene thus far, but a strong run of games will see Tuohy demonstrate his ability. He is rated by few, but make no mistake, he is a gifted player and deserves more of a chance in a green jersey. A good player, however there are four others that are too good to give him his chance barring injuries.

Ireland will only have room for four Locks.

Prediction: O'Connell, Toner, Henderson, Ryan.


Back-Row

Ever since Ireland overcame the final hurdle in 2009 Grand Slam's victory at the Millenium stadium Heaslip has been ever present in the Ireland team. He is Ireland's No.8, end of. The former DUFC captain brings leadership, professionalism and above all consistency. He rarely hits the headlines these days, but similar to O'Connell he is a vital cog in the powerful forward machine that Plumtree and now Easterby have been cultivating.
Sean O'Brien brings what he brings and always brings it. He will be a marked man, but when has that ever stopped him being effective? He has to start, no question.
Peter O'Mahony is another who you simply cannot leave out. The Munster captain's dogged, determined, unforgiving and endless grit is something Ireland have come to lean on. When the pressure is on this is your go to guy. Undroppable.
The rest of the flankers read well and demonstrate the scale of the headache Schmidt will face when selecting his back-row and their replacement.  Jordi Murphy has gone from strength to strength over the last few seasons and this has seen him play across the Back-row for province and country, his versatility will stand to him when the cuts begin. Chris Henry is back from his health issues and its as if he never stopped playing. The flanker has shown consistently at Ravenhill since his return, showing that his form during the 2014 6 Nations was not just a purple patch in his career. He will travel to England and the fact that he doesn't look likely to start or maybe even not make the bench shows the quality of his rivals for a place in the team.
Jack Conan continues his whirlwind rise to the top in the absence of Emerging Ireland captain Rhys Ruddock through injury. Similar to Furlong he is a great talent, but not quite ready yet, unless injuries allow. It is a big shame for Ruddock who was really demonstrating his talent this year and was looking to be a certainty for the World Cup squad.

Ireland will likely take five Back-rows:

Prediction: Heaslip, O'Brien, O'Mahony, Henry, Murphy.


Scrum-Half

Once you move out to the back-line the cracks start to emerge in Ireland's armour more and half-back is where cover is at its thinnest. Conor Murray is Ireland's starting nine, end of. Since 2011 the Munsterman has improved from game-to-game with ease and is now amongst the world's best in his position. No one can box-kick better than this guy, no scrum-half adds as much physicality as him and he poses a serious threat close to the line. If the worst happens and he does get injured(touch wood) Ireland will be in trouble.
Eoin Reddan is frail at best defensively, has a limited box-kick, but crucially has the best pass of Ireland's options at nine. His limitations elsewhere mean that he isn't up to scratch, but he will likely make the squad as first back-up due to his experience and the speed he can add to a game in the final twenty, which will be key in the tighter games.
Isaac Boss is similarly not the whole package, his kicking is solid, as is his defence and passing, but solid won't quite cut it and the New-Zealand born Leinsterman will most likely be settling for the Leinster nine shirt during the World Cup.
Kieran Marmion is young and it is difficult to fully know if he is ready for the pressure of a World Cup yet. Unlike Furlong and Conan there is not sufficient cover to use the classic experience over youth safe call. Schmidt needs to blood this guy properly and give him every chance to prove his worth. The pool games against Romania and Canada are ideal opportunities for this. Reddan and Boss are solid operators, but the time is ripe to look beyond this tournament and give Marmion his chance. He will be a key player for Ireland at some point, better to make it sooner rather than later.

Ireland will take three Scrum-Halves:

Prediction: Murray, Marmion, Reddan.


Out-Half

Sexton plus two others. The pivot is vital to Ireland's chances and an injury to him will spell the likely end of Ireland's chances leading into the tournament. Saying that he is crucial to Ireland is an understatement, he is the biggest part of the 'Big Six' that Ireland need to be fit at the World Cup along with Healy, O'Connell, Heaslip, Kearney and Murray.
Madigan will travel, as will Paddy Jackson in the absence of Keatley. Madigan due to his versatility and Jackson due to his impressive form at the tail-end of last season. It could be argued that Pienaar was making his life easy at Ulster while Keatley struggled without Murray at Munster and that is ultimately why he made the squad. However, in all reality, Jackson has the greater scope for improvement out of the two pivots both now and in the future and fully deserves his inclusion of Keatley. While Madigan has not been given his full chance to prove himself at both club and international level in the ten shirt, Jackson has been given ample time at club level and does show signs of promise, his seemingly perpetual youth will only mask inconsistencies for so long, he needs to show his stuff now or never. Pray Sexton stays fit and pray that when he is being rested/replaced that whichever of the two that gets on can do a solid job.

Ireland will need three pivots at the World Cup with Madigan being used as cover at 12 and 15.

Prediction: Sexton, Madigan, Jackson.


Centre

This is the places on Ireland's team sheet which is most difficult to call, it depends entirely on what Ireland choose to do with their attack. Stay with the direct, solid and effective partnership of Henshaw and Payne, a combination which was clearly operating on a Master-apprentice style relationship during this season. Payne took on the majority of the ball, carrying well for such a small player by test rugby standards and eased Henshaw into test rugby. Henshaw looks comfortable at 12 and he should stay there, his ball-carrying and size suit inside centre - this is a position he can make his own. 13 is the position where Ireland have options and Payne has done no wrong, in fact he was one of Ireland's better players in this years 6 Nations Championship, however he lacks the cutting edge that Ireland need to ignite their back-line.
Darren Cave too doesn't quite have that spark and lacks the physicality to really make an impact at test level.
Gordon D'Arcy is yet again being forced to prove himself, despite his impressive track record. He won't do enough to start and will be hard pushed to make the squad at all with numbers tight. As much as he deserves a final send-off sadly he most likely won't get it, at least not from first choice centre.
Reid is involved, but he doesn't have enough game time under his belt since injury in 2014, no doubt an impressive talent, his time will come after this tournament.
McFadden, Earls and Fitzgerald are Ireland's other options at Centre while also being able to cover Wing. Fitzgerald looks like he is back to his best and this could be his chance at Outside Centre, maybe not where he is best suited, but perhaps where Ireland need him. McFadden will be hard pushed to make the squad, a good player but, not a game-breaker. Earls is a threat and a genuine one at that. His pace is dangerous and only rivaled by Zebo in the Ireland squad, he should travel and a starting place will be all based on how his erratic form shapes up. He might be considered a centre at Munster and possibly even by Schmidt, but the Limerick man definitely seems best suited to the wing.

Ireland will take three/four centres.

Prediction: Henshaw, Payne, Fitzgerald. D'Arcy will be the fourth if there is one in place of an outside back.


Wing/Full-Back

Already discussed were Earls, Fitzgerald and McFadden; versatility will see one of these players definitely make the plane and our bet is on Fitzgerald. The other spots at Wing are hugely competitive with the aforementioned three being joined by Gilroy, Trimble, Bowe, Zebo and David Kearney. Trimble and Kearney have 2014 as a good reference point as injury has stood in the way since then. Zebo and Bowe have 2015 as an equally solid season, the former less so. Gilroy is the bolter here but remains a strong candidate, three places is not enough for the talent Ireland possess here, don't be surprised if Ireland travel with just one specialist Full-Back to make room to an additional Wing. Zebo has made it clear in the press that he can cover 11, 14 and 15, David Kearney too can cover the back. Felix Jones looks like he will travel after his most impressive season to date, seeing him the preferred back sub throughout the 6 Nations. However, is a second full-back necessary when Henshaw, Payne and Madigan can all do a solid job at the back if needed? If Jones travels don't expect D'Arcy to as Ireland will probably be looking to Madigan as a replacement at 12. The Munster Full-Back has been given a shot at Wing for Ireland off the bench and also for Munster during the 6 Nations period, possibly on Schmidt's request. Rob Kearney is one of the few who can count himself as pencilled in already.

Ireland have space for four/five Wingers/Full-Backs, not including the crossover that Fitzgerald provides.

Prediction: Rob Kearney, Bowe, Trimble, Jones, Gilroy.

Starting XV:

15: R. Kearney        
14: Bowe
13: Fitzgerald
12: Henshaw
11: Trimble

10: Sexton
9: Murray

1: Healy(If not - McGrath)
2: Best
3: Ross
4: Toner
5: O'Connell
6: O'Mahony
7: O'Brien
8: Heaslip

16: Cronin
17: McGrath(If starting -Kilcoyne)
18: Moore
19: Henderson
20: Henry
21: Marmion
22: Madigan
23: Jones

24: Strauss
25: Kilcoyne(Buckley - If Healy isn't fit)
26: Ryan
27: Murphy
28: Reddan
29: Jackson
30: Payne
31: Gilroy

ARU aggression disgraces the sport

This year has seen Australian Rugby adopt a new and well documented selection policy whereby those who have committed sufficiently to Australian Rugby in the past can play abroad and remain available for international selection. 

The 60 cap minimum added to the seven years of contract commitment to the ARU means that only 'elite' internationals can qualify under this. Players such as Giteau, Adam

Ashley-Cooper and Drew Mitchell warrant this ruling and it is far from damaging to Australian Rugby, rather enhancing. 

However, the other side of this ruling has reared its ugly face with the ARU adopting an aggressive and sometimes disrespectful approach to securing potential Wallabies playing abroad who do not qualify for selection. 

The Kane Douglas example is important to examine to understand what exactly the ARU have been up to. The player signed a three-year contract with Leinster Rugby and is leaving to return to Australia just one season into this deal. 

Michael Cheika made no secret of that fact that the ARU wanted him back, even calling him up and stating that he wanted him to return to Australia in press conferences. The pressure he and the ARU put on the situation was reminiscent of a last minute Premier league transfer window deal. 

Leinster eventually agreed to release the player for a fee rumoured to be in the region of €160,000. While Douglas reached underwhelming form at best during his tenure at the RDS he remained a quality player in an important position for them, especially in Devin Toner's absence during the Rugby World Cup. 

The Quade Cooper scandal which rages on is another example of this change in the ARU's actions. The facts are that Cooper signed a contract with Toulon, shook Boudjellal's hand and posed for a photograph - he committed to being a Toulon player. 

Now, Cooper has signed a four-year deal with the ARU which includes spending 2016 on the 7's circuit and potentially a the Olympic games. 

Boudjellal has made his opinion clear in the media as he vehemently condemned Cooper's actions while also threatening to sue the fly-half and the ARU for lost revenue. Boudjellal included the sale of merchandise in this which has the potential to be far past the reach of a release fee if one was included in his contract with Toulon. 

He said, ''They are speaking to a player who they know has signed. So there is collusion there and I might sue the Australian federation to ensure our rights are respected....If Cooper doesn't come, the compensation will be in millions of euros.''* 

This prompted the ARU's General Manager, Rod Clarke to come out and state that the ARU will not be paying any compensation to Toulon and that this responsibility lies with Cooper. The rumours have provided $200,000(Australian Dollars) as the compensation figure included in his contract. 

More than likely Boudjellal is using scare tactics to get Cooper to follow his contractual obligations and sign for Toulon, however Cooper's actions are deplorable and for once it seems that Toulon have done no wrong and have been treated very poorly themselves. 

In both cases, Douglas and Cooper, the ARU has clearly had a big role to play while firmly retaining that if they dangle the carrot and a contracted player goes for it then they have done nothing wrong in the situation. Rugby has long been a sport where transfer fees are rare and players move clubs when they have finished their contracts. That is something to be proud of, specifically when you compare the meaningless contracts in professional Football. The ARU have annoyed Toulon, Leinster and the IRFU in just the last month - their actions have been unacceptable. However, it is undeniable that it will make teams think twice before signing Australian internationals again and that ladies and gentlemen must be the goal of this aggressive and ignorant approach to things that the ARU has adopted. Their tactics are ridiculous, disgraceful and shouldn't be part of the sport for any club, let alone one of the largest nations. World Rugby needs to intervene in some aspects of these events. The Douglas situation was dealt with in a way which ultimately suited both parties, however poor the way this came about. The Cooper saga is another issue altogether. 

*Source: Planet Rugby

Schmidt signs on until 2017

The IRFU have announced this afternoon that Joe Schmidt has signed on to continue in his role as Head Coach until June 30th 2017.

While this is good news for the IRFU it is far from what they sought out when beginning negotiations following Ireland's 6 Nations victory earlier this year.

Early speculation suggested that Schmidt had put pen to paper for a deal until 2023. While the suggested deal seems excess the IRFU are highly likely to have sought out a longer deal for the former Leinster Head Coach until at least 2019 and the next World Cup in Japan.

June 30th 2017 seems like a strange date to pick and will see Schmidt complete a four-year tenure with Ireland.

Curiously All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen's deal with the NZRU ends at the end of the 2017 season. Furthermore the British & Irish Lions will tour New Zealand in the summer of 2017.
Schmidt will be highly sought after at the end of his contract, don't be surprised if we see him lead the Lions against New Zealand and then swap sides.

Cheika experiments for Brisbane battle with Toulon combination at 10 and 12

Michael Cheika has selected a somewhat experimental team for his sides opening clash in this years Rugby Championship.

The Wallabies host a settled South African XV to Brisbane in a clash which is certain to demonstrate just where Australian rugby currently stands. 

The newly introduced ARU rules for overseas players sees both Giteau and Mitchell included in the matchday squad, with Giteau getting the nod at inside centre while Mitchell has to be content with a place on the bench. Rob Horne's goood form throughout the 2015 Super Rugby season sees him hold of the challenge of Mitchell to join Adam Ashley-Cooper and Folau is a dangerous looking back three. 

Brumbies sensation Tevita Kuridrani completes the backline at 13 with the proven combination of Genia and Cooper orchestrating events from half back. Cooper's recent injuries have only seen him play five times in this years Super Rugby competition, his inclusion in the starting XV completing a Toulon 10-12 combination.

Bernard Foley can count himself as unlucky not to make the squad at all with Matt Toomua's versatility ensuring his place on the bench. 

The pack has a familiar edge to it with Higginbotham and Fardy partnering Hooper in the back-row, seeing the Waratahs openside beating Pocock to the starting jersey. Expect Cheika to play these guys off each other and get the best out of them, having two of the world's best opensides in his squad will  not be lost on the former Leinster Head coach. 

Stephen Moore captains the team from Hooker, with Slipper and Kepu on either side of him, while wreckball Will Skelton and Simmons fill up the second-row. 

The South African side has a familiar feel to it with le Roux, Pietersen and Habana at the back. A lot of the Springbok's future hopes have been placed on the shoulders of Jessie Kriel, who starts his first tests at outside centre. The Bulls utility back has been talked up big time in the press by South African coach Heyneke Meyer, seeing him as a Springbok legend in the making. 

Pienaar and Pollard form their half back partnership once again with Schalk Burger surprisingly making the move to number eight. Coetzee and Louw finish off the back row with Etzebeth and Matfield in the rows. 

The Du Plessis brothers and Mtawaria finish off the team to form a brutally athletic front row. 

The presence of former captains Horwill and Pocock on the bench for the Wallabies is reflective of the strength in Australian rugby right now. Expect a performance from the Wallabies, expect open, expansive and threatening attacking rugby. From South Africa expect aggressive and direct rugby from their pack combined with wide and fast rugby from their backline. The South African pack will dominate all but the breakdown with Hooper undoubtedly set to make a big impact. Pocock will get on early in the second half and the double edged sword of himself and Hooper will give Australia they ball they need, the rest is in the unpredictable hands of the Cooper-Giteau axis. 

Prediction: Australia 29 South Africa 23

The match is live on Sky Sports at 11:05(GMT) this Saturday. 

South Africa:

15 Willie le Roux

14 JP Pietersen

13 Jesse Kriel

12 Damian de Allende

11 Bryan Habana

10 Handré Pollard

9 Ruan Pienaar

8 Schalk Burger

7 Marcell Coetzee

6 Francois Louw

5 Victor Matfield (c)

4 Eben Etzebeth

3 Jannie du Plessis

2 Bismarck du Plessis

1 Tendai Mtawarira.

16 Adriaan Strauss

17 Heinke van der Merwe

18 Frans Malherbe

19 Lodewyk de Jager

20 Teboho Mohoje

21 Cobus Reinach

22 Pat Lambie

23 Lwazi Mvovo

Australia:

15 Israel Folau

14 Adam Ashley-Cooper

13 Tevita Kuridrani

12 Matt Giteau

11 Rob Horne

10 Quade Cooper

9 Will Genia

8 Scott Higginbotham

7 Michael Hooper

6 Scott Fardy

5 Rob Simmons

4 Will Skelton

3 Sekope Kepu

2 Stephen Moore (c)

1 James Slipper

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau

17 Scott Sio

18 Greg Holmes

19 James Horwill

20 David Pocock

21 Nick Phipps

22 Matt Toomua

23 Drew Mitchell

All Blacks rotate for McCaw and Carter's swansong

Round one of the Rugby Championship kicks off this weekend with some exciting match-ups to start the build up to the World Cup later this year. First up is New Zealand v Argentina on Friday morning.

The New Zealand side has a hint of experimentation about it along with the usual suspects, with both Carter and McCaw making their final appearances in front of their home crowd.

TJ Perenara gets a rare start at scrum-half in the absence of Aaron Smith, with both scrum-halves in searingly good form the battle for the number 9 shirt will be very interesting.

Super Rugby's top try scorer Naholo comes in for his test debut on the right wing, adding further potency to a very dangerous backline.

Ma'a Nonu moves to second centre outside of Sonny Bill Williams while Dagg will have a chance to prove himself from Fullback.

Argentina are fielding a side with serious potential, combining young raw talent with the old experienced heads in the pack.

Lobbe, Leguizamon, Ayerza and captain Creevy lead the experienced pack with Isa and Petti both making their Rugby Championship debuts at Number eight and lock respectively.

Montero's cruel world cup ending knee injury sees Cordero get his chance on the wing. Expect a performance from this Argentina side. Aguila, Bosch and Sanchez are key to this teams success and a big performance from each of these players will see them push New Zealand close.

Expect a closely run affair with the Argentina forwards contesting well, but with New Zealand adding on points in the last twenty.

Prediction: New Zealand 37 Argentina 24

The match is live on Sky Sports at 08:35(GMT) on Friday morning.

Argentina:

15 Joaquin Tuculet
14 Horacio Aguila
13 Marcelo Bosch
12 Jeronimo De la Fuente
11 Santiago Cordero

10 Nicolas Sanchez
9 Tomas Cubelli

8 Facundo Isa
7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe
6 Juan Manuel Lequizamon
5 Guido Petti
4 Manuel Carizza
3 Ramiro Herrera
2 Agustin Creevy(c)
1 Marco Ayerza

16 Julian Montoya
17 Lucas Noguera
18 Nahuel Chaparro Tetaz
19 Benjamin Macome
20 Javier Ortega Desio
21 Martin Landajo
22 Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias
23 Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino


New Zealand:

15 Israel Dagg
14 Waisake Naholo*
13 Ma'a Nonu
12 Sonny Bill Williams
11 Charles Piutau

10 Dan Carter
9 Tj Perenara

8 Kieran Read
7 Richie McCaw(c)
6 Jerome Kaino
5 Brodie Retallick
4 Luke Romano
3 Owen Franks
2 Keven Mealamu
1 Tony Woodcock

16 Codie Taylor*
17 Wyatt Crockett
18 Nepo Laulala
19 Jeremy Thrush
20 Liam Messam
21 Andy Ellis
22 Colin Slade
23 Ryan Crotty

Douglas and the exception that breaks the rule

     Earlier this year the ARU introduced a new series of rules on player eligibility for the national side. The former zero tolerance policy, meaning no player contracted to a club side outside of the Australian Super Rugby sides could play for the Wallabies, was changed to a perhaps more fair and relevant policy.
     The so-called 'Giteau Clause' was born, a clear marker of the Michael Cheika era. Bill Pulver, CEO of the ARU, announced that players who had played in Australia for seven seasons or more and had sixty tests caps or more would remain eligible for national selection if they were contracted overseas. Immediately Matt Giteau(92 caps) and Drew Mitchell(63 caps) became available for selection and have unsurprisingly have been included in Cheika's Rugby Championship squad.
     Adam Ashley-Cooper(104 caps) had already announced his intention to move to Bordeaux-Begles after the World Cup, but can now ply his trade in the Top 14 and fly back to wear the Gold of the Wallabies. Will Genia(58 caps) is set to join Stade Francais, Quade Cooper(53 caps) is joining the growing Australian crew at Toulon and James Horwill(58 caps) has signed for Conor O'Shea's Harlequins from next season. Make no mistake, the 60 cap threshold is not a random selection. It is a calculated decision. This season will likely see Genia, Cooper and Horwill all join Ashley-Cooper, Mitchell and Giteau in being available under the ruling.
     This week has seen a crack in the armour of the change in the eligibility rules as Kane Douglas has been called up by the Wallabies. Leinster manager, Guy Easterby confirmed the news on Monday. Douglas has 14 test caps for the Wallabies and has only played four professional seasons under contract in Australia. The 'Giteau clause' does not apply to him. Rumours are circulating that he will have to sign for an Australian Super Rugby franchise in order to make him eligible, with the Queensland Reds rumoured to be interested in Douglas as a replacement for Horwill. However, Leinster are firmly maintaining that Douglas is under contract and will remain a Leinster player for the remaining two years of his contract. The ARU are stuck and the only way they can justify the call-up of Douglas is by ensuring he is signed up to play in Australia next season. Leinster retain they won't sell and even still Douglas would not qualify under the ARU's own rules, but would be allowed in through a bending of the rules.
     It seems only England, New Zealand and France have the systems in place whereby the can select solely those who play in their domestic leagues. The problem Australia now face is whether it is worth it to bend its own already stretched rulings for one player or standby the rules they were forced into introducing.

McGahan and Cheika - Coaching and the vitality of timing

Tony McGahan and Michael Cheika are two names that Irish rugby fans will be very familiar with. Interestingly, both men succeeded Declan Kidney upon their appointment as Head Coaches of Irish provinces. McGahan took the reigns from Kidney in 2008 following Munster's second Heineken Cup victory and Kidney's appointment as Head Coach of Ireland. Cheika took charge of Leinster in 2005 after Kidney left Leinster after less than a season in favour of the Red Army. 

Leinster in 2005 and Munster in 2008 were two very different scenarios for a coach and expectation. Munster had just won their second Heineken Cup in three years, were providing the bones of the Irish team from 1-10 and in total had nine representatives on the following summers British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa including the Captain. In contrast Leinster were seen as an emerging reincarnation of the Munster of the early 2000's, the perpetual bridesmaids, a team playing well within its potential. Leinster were providing the rest of the Irish team, from 11-15 and the era of Munster Forwards and Leinster Backs was marked. 

Cheika's first campaign ending in a 30-6 Heineken Cup semi-final loss to Munster at Lansdowne Road summed up the contrasting situations of the provinces well, despite the scoreline being quite flattering in the end. O'Driscoll's public flirtation with Biarrtz Olympique in 2005 was a further warning to Leinster that something needed to change and fast. The story of Leinster and Cheika is a well known one, a slow build-up to 2009. The Croke Park Heineken Cup semi-final saw a complete role reversal from the 2006 semi-final, Leinster came out comprehensive winners and went on to win the trophy, directed by Jonny Sexton who had thrived on the pressure of his sudden semi-final entrance after Contepomi's injury. The 2009-10 season too was a success and a Magners League win combined with a semi-final Heineken Cup appearance was enough. Cheika was a legend and despite his shortcomings in Stade Francais, partly due to financial problems within the club, have largely been ignored and he is seen as one of the worlds best coaches right now. 

McGahan meanwhile took over from the ultimate Munster man. Kidney had left as a hero of the province, the man who had lead the side to four Heineken Cup finals and finally two victories in quick succession. Furthermore, he was leading Ireland to a first Grand Slam in Sixty-One years while McGahan lead Munster to a Magners League win and a Heineken Cup semi-final. McGahan faced ridiculous expectation and what was undoubtedly a successful season was not regarded as such, the semi-final loss to Leinster was all anyone focussed in on. The following years double semi-final losses in the Magners League and Heineken Cup added to the idea that McGahan was not quite what Munster needed. 

2010-11 saw Schmidt replace Cheika at Leinster, leading them to a second Heineken Cup victory is his debut season. McGahan leading Munster to another Magners League win following the first time Munster had failed to qualify for the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup since 1998-99.

2011-12 was probably the season which is most associated with McGahan's era in charge at Munster, a home quarter-final loss to Ulster in the Heineken Cup and a dismal hammering away to the Ospreys in the Pro12 Semi-finals.

Across his four season in charge McGahan lead Munster to two Magners League victories, two Heineken Cup semi-finals and one quarter-final and his tenure is remembered as largely forgettable. Timing is everything for a coach, Kidney returning to Munster at the right time in 2005 and taking over Ireland at the right time in 2008-09. McGahan took over Munster as they began their descent and Leinster started their ascent, the sudden flip in dominance throughout McGahan's era not helping one bit. Cheika should be rightly credited for his work with Leinster, he did a superb job and brought the side from underachieving into the team everyone in Europe was frightened to face. 

However, you cannot help but think that the Leinster team Cheika took control of just needed to recruit a bit better and they could reach their potential. They had great players, they just needed to become a great team. The same could be said of the Waratahs team that Cheika took control of in 2013. Leinster and the Waratahs both had the potential to be great sides, but crucially had not become them yet. McGahan meanwhile became Munster's head coach when the golden era was pittering out and this earned him the same role at the Melbourne Rebels in 2013. Cheika's appointment as Wallaby coach last year is undoubtedly a result of this. McGahan at the Waratahs and Cheika at the Rebels in 2013 and we could be looking at a very different Wallaby coach right now. Timing is everything for a coach, you don't want to take over a Champion team on a downward spiral, just ask Matt O'Connor.  ward spiral, just ask Matt O'Connor.

Is the IRFU's national prioritisation destabilising the future of the provincial game?

     On June 1st 2014 Irish rugby appointed its first ‘Performance Director’. David Nucifora. 

The twice capped Wallaby international assumed the role at a time when Irish rugby was in a comfortable and successful position, something he reiterated upon accepting the position.

"Irish rugby is in rude health, Ireland are RBS 6 Nations champions and the provinces are performing well in both the domestic and European competitions.’’

At the time there was very few people that would have disagreed with Nucifora’s words. Ireland were 6 Nations champions, while the domestic European performances of Leinster, Munster and Ulster were meeting expectations. Each province topped their Heineken Cup pool, with only Leinster failing to earn a home quarter-final. Munster progressed to the semi-finals where they were defeated in a closely run affair by a Toulon side destined for greatness, suffering the same fate as Leinster had in the previous round. Ulster too were seemingly on course for a semi-final spot until Payne’s fifth minute red card saw Saracens triumph at Ravenhill. For Ulster particularly the ‘what-ifs?’ of the 2013-14 season will remain for a long time. Connacht too should not be forgotten, earning an impressive home victory over three-time European champions Toulouse. As Nucifora put it, every facet of Irish rugby seemed to be in ‘‘rude health’’.

     2014-15 marked a new era in European rugby. The European Champions Cup’s arrival firmly re-organising the finances, structure and qualification process for Europe’s elite club tournament. The reduction in the number of competing teams from 24 to 20, coupled with an overhaul in the seeding system has effectively rebooted the system. The past, as favourable as it had been to the Irish teams, has been erased. No longer is the seeding based on previous performances in the competition. Interestingly Mourad Boudjellal, the Toulon owner, was the most recent critic of this. Europe is now concerned with creating elite competition, making no secret of its goal of being the best club competition in the world. This is being based off incredibly competitive leagues and a brutal European competition all fueled by the ruling that seedings will be based off year-by-year performances. 

     This impact of these changes were acutely evident by the strength of opposition Munster faced in pool 1. A third placed Pro12 finish earning them a spot in the so-called ‘‘Pool-of-death’’ along with Clermont, Saracens and the underrated Sale. Leinster being drawn with Toulon, Bath and Wasps this year demonstrates further how vital final league standings have now become. This requirement for each province to compete on two fronts seemed to be insurmountable this season leaving the Irish provinces facing into a tougher than ever Pro12 with much more at stake. Ulster, Munster and Connacht’s Pro12 campaigns can be regarded as successful. While Ulster fell in the semi-finals, they secured a third place ranking and Munster a second place ranking. Connacht fell short of their well publicised goal of sixth place, but they did push Gloucester all the way in the qualification play-off semi-final. Leinster’s fifth placed finish is perplexing and can be tracked to a complete drop in form from February on. You cannot help but sympathise with Matt O’Connor’s several public complaints against the IRFU. His side made up the majority of the 6 Nations squad and the disruption of this ultimately played a massive role in the unravelling of the 2014 Pro12 champions season.     

    

    The IRFU’s restrictions on the amount of games their internationals play is sensible and practical. The Southern hemisphere test players play in a maximum of 19 Super Rugby games a year, and combined with test matches the most a player will take the field is 32 or 33 times a year. In Ireland if a player took part in every game they could play 35 games for their club alone before representing their country a further 10-12 times. The difference there is plain to see and the IRFU’s intervention is undoubtedly vital to maintain the freshness of its best players. From the IRFU’s point of view it is not feasible for Ireland’s foremost professional rugby players to put their bodies on the line over 40 times a year. As much sense as the policy makes it has a big knock-on effect. The performances of Munster and Ulster compared with Leinster in the latter part of the season were different for several reasons. The fact that Leinster had sizably more players away with Ireland during the 6 Nations and were involved in the knock-out stages of the Champions Cup ultimately cost them in the Pro12.  Leinster’s success has become its own hindrance, the impact of the IRFU’s clear priority of the national side is incredibly clear when examining Leinster right now. 

    

     The birth of the Champions Cup has created a much tougher European competition and a significantly more competitive Pro 12 and on top of this Leinster have not been afforded the luxury of having their best players available for selection each week. Leinster still fell far short of expectations, whatever way you look at it, but Matt O’Connor can feel rightly aggrieved for how the province and the IRFU treated him. The lack of candidates for the supposedly prestigious Leinster Head Coaches position since his departure evidences this further. The IRFU has a firm grip on every aspect of how the provinces operate, select and recruit. This is abundantly clear when you consider that Leinster have moved to fill the gaps in their back-room staff before a Head Coach has even been employed. The IRFU being clear on its aim to create as many high quality indigenous coaches as possible. 

John Fogarty and Girvan Dempsey have been made scrum coach and backs coach respectively with Kurt McQuilkin in place on a short-term deal as defence coach. Leo Cullen will continue is his role as forwards coach and it seems more and more likely by the day that he will take the reigns as Leinster move into the new season with Dempsey his deputy. The position of Head Coach with Leinster offers the chance to work within an already established staff and with a player group which looks set to be disrupted massively by the Rugby World Cup later this year. It is no wonder that suggested candidates such as Jono Gibbes and Tony Brown have reiterated their loyalty to their current positions when linked with the Leinster job. If you coach in Ireland, you coach for Ireland. 

     

     Furthermore the IRFU allows very little leeway in relation to player recruitment through the National Player Succession Strategy(NPSS). The policy was announced in 2011 and fully enacted at the beginning of the 2013/14 season, allowing one NIE(Non-Irish eligible) player per position between Ulster, Munster and Leinster. This system is aimed at getting more Irish qualified players in the provinces starting teams each week with the eventual goal of a national team with more depth than ever before. The gains from the system are evident, particularly at Prop, where Leinster have again lead the way. However, the problem here is this policy, while vital to the future of the national team, is causing issues for the competitiveness of the provinces. 

     The IRFU has put its cards on the table, the national team is the firm priority, there is no two-ways about it, and the results speak for themselves. Ireland sit third in the world as back-to-back 6 Nations champions. However, the IRFU has taken the success of the provincial game for granted. These policies were formed at a time when Munster and Ulster remained competitive in Europe and Leinster were the team every other side feared they would face. The situation now is very different, and the club game is rapidly changing. The Premiership and Top 14 are raising their salary cap frequently making it harder and harder to compete with them. European rugby is on a new path, its re-branding perhaps being more appropriate than previously thought with its similarity to its football equivalent. To compete in Europe you need your best players available every week and you need to be able to sign high quality foreign talent. In France and England the clubs have the power and they can act as they please outside the international window. As they travel in once direction, inevitably our clubs will go in the other. Club and country is a difficult balance to get right, but in the current situation it seems as if a Champions Cup is unlikely to fall into Irish hands in the near future. The IRFU’s policies have paid dividends in terms of national success, but now perhaps it is time to consider the wider impact of them across the provincial game. 

Pro 12 Transfer Round-up

Benetton Treviso

Transfers in:

Tom Palmer(Gloucester), Luke McLean(Sale Sharks), Alberto De Marchi(Sale Sharks), Robert Barbieri(Leicester Tigers), Filo Paulo(Cardiff Blues), Tommaso Iannone(Zebre), Chris Smylie(Hurricanes), Cherif Traore(Calvisano), Braam Steyn(Calvisano), Omel Gega(Mogliano), Flippo Filippetto(San Dona), Luca Bigi(Petrarca Padova), Simon Ferrari(Milano), Duncan Naude(RC Chalon), Jean-Francois Montauriol(Rovigo Delta).

Transfers out:

Simone Favaro(Glasgow Warriors), Michele Campagnaro(Exeter Chiefs), Joe Carlisle(London Welsh), Paul Derbyshire(Zebre), Corniel van Zyl(Retired), Giovanni Maistri(Petrarca Padova), Antonio Pavanello(Retired), Ruggero Trevisan(Retired), Amar Kudin(Released), Romulo Acosta(Released), Albert Anae(Released), Jose Francisco Novak(Released), Tomas Vallejos Cinalli(Released), Meyer Swanepoel(Released), Nicola Cattina(Released), Mat Luamanu(Released), Henry Seniloli(Released).

Cardiff Blues

Transfers in:

Cam Dolan(Northampton Saints), Blaine Scully(Leicester Tigers), Tom James(Exeter Chiefs), Rey Lee-Lo(Hurricanes).

Transfers out:

Matthew Rees(Released), Adam Jones(Harlequins), Rory Watts-Jones(Retired), Filo Paulo(Benetton Treviso), Joaquin Tuclet(Argentina - Super Rugby), Dafydd Hewitt(Retired), Simon Humberstone(Doncaster Knights), Marc Breeze(Released), Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino(Released).

Connacht

Transfers in:

Ben Marshall(Leinster), Quinn Roux(Leinster), John Cooney(Leinster), Nepia Fox-Matamua(Auckland), Api Pewhairangi(New Zealand Warriors - Rugby League).

Transfers out:

Sean Henry(Released), Shane Layden(Released), Mata Fifita(Released), Miah Nikora(Released), Mick Kearney(Leinster), Michael Swift(Retired), Willie Faloon(Ulster), Mils Muliania(Zebre).

Edinburgh

Transfers in:

Michael Allen(Ulster), Jack Cosgrove(Worcester Warriors), Nasi Manu(Highlanders), William Helu(London Wasps), Nathan Fowles(Sale Sharks).

Transfers out:

Tim Visser(Harlequins), Tom Heathcote(Worcester Warriors), Grayson Hart(Glasgow Warriors), Ollie Atkins(Exeter Chiefs).

Glasgow Warriors

Transfers in:

Mike Blair(Newcastle Falcons), Kieran Law(London Irish), Simone Favaro(Benetton Treviso), Grayson Hart(Edinburgh), Sam Johnson(Reds), Jason Hill(Unattached), Javan Sebastian(Scarlets), Taqele Naiyaravoro(NSW Waratahs), Greg Peterson(Leicester Tigers).

Transfers out:

Euan Murray(Pau), Sean Maitland(London Irish), Dougie Hall(Retired), Alastair Kellock(Retired), James Downey(Wasps), Connor Braid(Released), Tommy Spinks(Jersey), Murray McConnell(Nottingham), Jon Welsh(Newcastle Falcons), D.T.H. Van der Merwe(Scarlets), Nikola Matawalu(Bath Rugby).

Leinster

Transfer in:

Jonathan Sexton(Racing 92), Mick Kearney(Connacht), Isa Nacewa(Unattached), Royce Burke-Flynn(Unattached), Ian Hirst(Unattached).

Transfers out:

Jimmy Gopperth(London Wasps), John Cooney(Connacht), Jordan Coghlan(Munster), Quinn Roux(Connacht), Shane Jennings(Retired), Sam Coghlan Murray(Nottingham), Sean McCarthy(Jersey), Brendan Macken(Wasps), Ben Marshall(Connacht).

Munster

Transfers in:

Jordan Coghlan(Leinster), Francis Saili(Auckland Blues), Matt D'Arcy(Unattached), Tomas O'Leary(London Irish).

Transfers out:

JJ Hanrahan(Northampton Saints), Paul O'Connell(Toulon), Sean Dougall(Pau), Paddy Butler(Pau), Damien Varley(Retired), Alan Cotter(Aix-en-Provence), Andrew Smith(TBC - end of contract), Eusebio Guinazu(TBC - end of contract), Ivan Dineen(Released), Martin Kelly(Released), Johne Murphy(Released), Barry O'Mahony(Released), Luke O'Dea(TBC - Pro D2).

Newport-Gwent Dragons

Transfers in:

Nick Scott(London Welsh), Sarel Pretorius(Free State Cheetahs), Ed Jackson(Wasps), Charlie Davies(Wasps), Adam Warren(Scarlets).

Transfers out:

Ian Gough(Retired), Ashley Smith(Retired), Lee Bryne(Retired), Owen Evans(Harlequins), Steffan Jones(Bedford Blues), Jonathan Evans(Bath Rugby).

Neath-Swansea Ospreys

Transfers in:

Paul James(Bath Rugby), Gareth Delve(NEC Green Rockets - Japan), Brendon Leonard(Zebre).

Transfers out:

Duncan Jones(Retired), Morgan Allen(Scarlets), Nicky Thomas(Gloucester), Sam Lewis(Worcester Warriors).

Scarlets

Transfers in:

Morgan Allen(Ospreys), Jack Condy(Unattached), Dylan Evans(Unattached - Australia), Tom Price(Leicester Tigers), Will Taylor(Wasps), Aled Thomas(Gloucester), D.T.H. Van der Merwe(Glasgow Warriors).

Transfers out:

Rhys Priestland(Bath Rugby), Javan Sebastian(Glasgow Warriors), Frazier Climo(Released), Joe Snyman(Brive Rugby), Kristian Phillips(Released), Adam Warren(Newport-Gwent Dragons), Kyle Evans(Moseley), Sion Bennett(Northampton Saints), Jacobie Adriaanse(Montpellier), Darran Harris(Rotherham Titans).

Ulster

Transfers in:

Peter Browne(London Welsh), Paul Rowley(London Welsh), Sam Windsor(Worcester Warriors), Willie Faloon(Connacht).

Transfer out:

Charlie Butterworth(Jersey), Ross Adair(Jersey), Declan Fitzpatrick(Retired), Michael Allen(Edinburgh), Ricky Andrew(Nottingham), Michael Heaney(Doncaster Knights).

Zebre

Transfers in:

Mils Muliania(Connacht), Luke Burgess(Melbourne Rebels), Pietro Ceccarelli(AS Macon), Marcello Violi(Calvisano), Federico Ruzza(Viadana), Tommaso Boni(Mogliano), Kayle van Zyl(Mogliano), Carlo Canna(Flamme Oro), Emiliano Corla(Montpellier), Emiliano Caffini(Rovigo Delta), Guillermo Roan(Rovigo Delta), Paul Derbyshire(Benetton Treviso), Bruno Postiglioni(La Plata - Argentina), Jean Cook(Cheetahs), Ulrich Beyers(Bordeaux-Begles), Johan Meyer(Sharks).

Transfers out:

Brendon Leonard(Ospreys), Andries Ferreira(Lions), Samuela Vunisa(Saracens), Giovanbattista Venditti(Newcastle Falcons), Mauro Bergamasco(Retired), Luca Redolfini(Rovigo Delta), Luciano Orquera(RC Massy), Tommaso Iannone(Benetton Treviso), Luciano Leibson(RC Massy), Matias Aguero(Released), Alberto Chillon(Released), Hennie Daniller(Released), Andrei Mahu(Released), Lorenzo Romano(Released).

Toulon salary cap breach confirmed

The President of the Ligue Nationale du Rugby, Paul Goze, confirmed yesterday that two clubs were in breach of Salary cap rules during the 2013-14 season.

Since then Toulon owner, Mourad Boudjellal, had admitted that Toulon is one of these clubs responsible.

It appears that the breach is not as serious as could be assumed and is instead €3,000 euros over the permitted amount for potential contracted players. Boudjellal has claimed that the supposed breach was minor and any sanction will be opposed by Toulon.

Here is what Boudjellal had to say, ''This is purely anecdotal. I signed three contracts hopefuls to 51 000 each while the ceiling for these amounts are not counted in the salary-cap is set at 50,000 euros. It is clear that if there are sanctions, we will appeal the decision." ***

Follow the link below to read the original article:

http://sport24.lefigaro.fr/rugby/top-14/fil-info/toulon-a-depasse-le-salary-cap-756655

*** The above section was translated from French to English via an automatic translator and may not be an exact translation.

Additional Rugby World Cup tickets to go on sale next week

World Rugby has announced that a further 30,000 match tickets will go on sale on Thursday the 25th of June at 10:00 GMT.

This will include the potential Pool A quarter-final play-off match between Australia and Wales at Twickenham.

There will also be a further 3,000 tickets released for the opening ceremony, also at Twickenham, which sees England take on Fiji on the 10th of September as well as France v Italy on the 19th of September, also at Twickenham.

Lastly there will be an additional 4,000 tickets available for each of the quarter-finals scheduled to take place at Twickenham. Quarter-final 1 will see the winner of Pool B, most likely South Africa, against the runner-up from Pool A, which could potentially be any one of England, Australia, Wales and outside bets Fiji. Quarter-final 2 will see the winners of Pool A, probably one of England, Australia, or Wales, take on the runner-up from Pool B, which seems likely to be Scotland with Samoa and Japan likely to contest well.

Tickets are still available for a host of pool matches including two of Ireland's fixtures, including the match against Canada on the 19th of September as well as versus Romania on the 27th of September.


Follow this link to see the full list of matches that still have tickets available:

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/76744


You can purchase tickets by following this link: 

https://tickets.rugbyworldcup.com/gpctp/TicketingInformation


The Pool draw for Rugby World Cup 2015 is available here:

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/pools

Top 14 transfer round-up

Following the closure of the French Top 14 transfer window at midnight on Sunday here is a round-up of all the players that have moved club within, out and in of the Top 14.

Agen

Transfers in:

Benoit Sicart(Montpellier), Mike Tadjer(RC Massy), Bautista Guemes(CU Buenos Aires), Ruaan du Preez(Oyonnax), Api Naikatini(Wellington Lions), Ropate Ratue(Aurillac), Corentin Braedlin(Toulon), Johann Sadie(Cheetahs), George Tilsley(NZ 7's), Damien Fevre(Pau), Marc Bahet(Beziers)

Transfers out:

Benjamin Petre(Brive), Pierre Ferrary(Auch), Semisi Telefoni(US Carcassone), Lucas Tolot(Montauban), Raphael Lagarde(Albi), Rupeni Caucaunibuca(Unconfirmed), Denis Fogarty(Aix-en-Provence), Loris Tolot(Montauban), Tariel Ratianidze(Mont-de-Marsan), Sergio Valdes(Retired), Wessel Jooste(Retired), Junior Pelesasa(Retired)

Bordeaux-Begles

Transfers in:

Adam Ashley-Cooper(NSW Waratahs), Luke Braid(Auckland Blues), Loann Goujon(La Rochelle), Sekope Kepu(NSW Waratahs), Steven Kitshoff(Stormers), Nans Ducuing(Perpignan), Jean-Marcelin Buttin(Clermont Auvergne), Jean-Baptiste Dubie(Mont-de-Marsan), Gauthier Doubrere(Auch), Peter Saili(Auckland Blues)

Transfer out:

Zaza Navrosashvili(LOU Rugby), Bertran Guiry(Biarritz Olympique), Ben Venter(Montauban), Taiasina Tuifu'a(LOU Rugby), Laurent Delboulbes(Oyonnax), Salemane Ba(Retired), Ulrich Beyers(Zebre)

Brive

Transfer in:

Benjamin Petre(Agen), Teddy Iribaren(Montpellier), William Whetton(Castres), Giorgi Jgenti(Former Joker), Chris Tuatara-Morrison(Former Joker), Johan Snyman(Scarlets), Lucas Pointud(Bayonne), Bastien Duhalde(Bayonne - Loan)

Transfers out:

Kieran Murphy(London Welsh), Damien Neveu(US Colomiers), Olivier Caisso(Montauban), Simon Pinet(Montauban), Russian Boukerou(Tarbes), Riaan Swanepoel(Montauban), Thomas Sanchou(Retired), Patrick Barnard(Retired), Lucas Lyons(Limoges), Venione Voretamaya(US Colomiers), Hugo Veyssiere(Limoges), Andrew Ma'ilei(Limoges)

Castres

Transfers in:

Rudi Wulf(Toulon), David Smith(Toulon), Antoine Tichit(Oyonnax), Alexandre Bias(Montpellier), Alex Tulou(Montpellier), Benjamin Urdapilleta(Oyonnax), Francois Fontaine(Clermont Auvergne), Eric Sione(Hurricanes), Julien Seron(US Carcassonne), Lucas Martinez(Lomas Athletic - Argentina)

Transfers out:

Remi Tales(Racing 92), William Whetton(Brive), Ramiro Herrera(Argentina - Super Rugby), Pasa Fa'anunu(Grenoble), Thomas Combezou(La Rochelle), Cedric Garcia(Montauban), Marcel Garvey(Aix-de-Provence), Gregory Marmoiton(Aix-de-Provence), Saimone Taumoepeau(Aix-de-Provence), Jannie Bornman(Aix-de-Provence), Max Evans(Aix-de-Provence)

Clermont-Auvergne

Transfers in:

Hosea Gear(Chiefs), David Strettle(Saracens), Scott Spedding(Bayonne), Flippe Van der Merwe(Bulls), Patricio Fernandez(Jockey Club - Argentina), Camille Gerondeau(Racing 92), Judicael Cancoriet(RC Massy), Albert VuliVuli(Montpellier), Irakli Natriashvili(SC Tuile), Adrien Plante(Racing 92)

Transfers out:

Zac Guildford(Hawke's Bay Magpies), Giorgi Sharashidze(Aurillac), Ti'i Paulo(LOU Rugby), Napolioni Nalaga(LOU Rugby), Julien Bonnaire(LOU Rugby), Julien Pierre(Pau), Mike Delany(Newcastle Falcons), Julien Malzieu(Montpellier), Jean-Marchelin Buttin(Bordeaux-Begles), Thierry Lacrampe(Pau), Uwa Tawalo(Oyonnax), Francois Fontaine(Castres)

Grenoble

Transfers in:

Mathias Marie(Biarritz Olympique), Lucas Dupont(Montpellier), Walter Desmaison(Racing 92), Gilles Bosch(US Carcassonne), Fabrice Estebanez(LOU Rugby), Paea Fa'anunu(Castres), James Percival(Worcester Warriors), Stephen Setephano(NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes - Japan), Armand Battle(US Colomiers), Sona Taumalolo(Racing 92), Christophe Loustalot(Bayonne)

Transfers out:

Jono Owen(Montpellier), Paul Willemse(Montpellier), Jordan Michallat(Bourgoin), Remy Hughes(Mont-de-Marsan), Thibaut Rey(Mont-de-Marsan), Richard Choirat(Bayonne), Albertus Buckle(LOU Rugby), Julien Caminati(Toulon - Joker), Florian Faure(Bourgoin), Remi Hughes(Mont-de-Marsan), Louis Marrou(Montauban - Loan), Ross Skeate(Aix-en-Provence), Geoffrey Messina(Retired), Benjamin Thiery(Bourgoin), Richard Choirat(Bourgoin), Naude Beukes(Bourgoin), Jordan Michallet(Bourgoin), Ross Skeate(Aix-en-Provence)

La Rochelle

Transfers in:

Pierre Aguillon(Oyonnax), Ricky Januarie(LOU Rugby), Thomas Combezou(Castres), Maxime Gau(SC Albi), Zack Holmes(Western Force), David Raikuna(North Harbour - Joker), Banjamin Lapeyre(Racing 92), David Roumieu(Bayonne), Damien Lagrange(Oyonnax), Gabriel Lacroix(SC Albi)

Transfers out:

Loann Goujon(Bordeaux-Begles), Jean-Philippe Grandclaude(Leucate), Peter Grant(Released), Benoit Borrust(Retired), Cobus Grobler(Retired), Julien Berger(Aix-en-Provence), Gonzalo Canale(Aix-en-Provence), Arthur Cestaro(Aix-en-Provence), Sireli Bobo(Retired), Hamish Gard(Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars - Japan)

Montpellier

Transfers in:

Nic White(ACT Brumbies), Marvin O'Connor(Bayonne), Demetri Catrakilis(Stormers), Julien Malzieu(Clermont Auvergne), Jacques du Plessis(Bulls), Schalk Van der Merwe(Lions), Jesse Mogg(ACT Brumbies), Jacobie Adriaanse(Scarlets), Paul Willemse(Grenoble), Wiaan Liebenberg(Bulls), Cameron Wright(Sharks), Seveci Nakailagi(Unattached - Fiji U-20), Pierre Spies(Bulls), Bismarck du Plessis(Sharks), Jannie du Plessis(Sharks)

Transfers out:

Enzo Selponi(Perpignan), Wynand Oliver(Released), Max Bustos(Released), Nahuel Lobo(US Carcassonne), Alexandre Bias(Castres), Alex Tulou(Castres), Albert VuliVuli(Clermont Auvergne), David Attoub(LOU Rugby), Emiliano Carla(Zebre), Chris King(Pau), Thomas Bianchin(Pau), Teddy Iribaren(Brive), Yohann Artru(Perpignan), Samisoni VuliVuli(Montauban), Na'ama Leleimalefaga(Worcester Warriors), Rene Ranger(Auckland Blues), Fred Quercy(Montauban), Lucas Dupont(Grenoble), Jonathan Pelissie(Toulon), Benoit Sicart(Agen)

Oyonnax

Transfers in:

Nicky Robinson(Bristol), George Robson(Harlequins), Piri Weepu(London Welsh), Horatiu Pungea(LOU Rugby), Thomas Bordes(Mont-de-Marsan), Mickael de Marco(LOU Rugby), Uwa Tawalo(Clermont Auvergne), Quentin Etienne(Narbonne), Eamonn Sheridan(London Irish), Joe Tuineau(LOU Rugby), Fabrice Metz(Racing 92), Jeremie Maurouard(Racing 92), Vincent Martin(LOU Rugby), Fetu'u Vainikolo(Exeter Chiefs), Pierrick Gunther(LOU Rugby)

Transfers out:

Thibault Lassalle(Toulon), Benjamin Urdapilleta(Castres), Pierre Aguillon(La Rochelle), Ruaan du Preez(Agen), Antoine Guillamon(Toulouse), Clement Jullien(US Carcassonne), Yohan Domenech(US Carcassonne), Paul Ngauamon(Mont-de-Marsan), Alex Luatua(Aurillac), Agustin Figuerola(LOU Rugby), Jean-Francois Coux(Bourgoin), Christophe Andre(Perpignan), Antoine Tichit(Castres), Damian Browne(Retired), Neil Clark(Retired), Clement Baiocco(Retired), Yves Donguy(Released), Miroslav Nemecek(Released)

Pau

Transfer in:

Paddy Butler(Munster), Sean Dougall(Munster), Julien Pierre(Clermont Auvergne), Thierry Lacrampe(Clermont Auvergne), Conrad Smith(Hurricanes), Thomas Bianchin(Montpellier), Chris King(Montpellier), Colin Slade(Crusaders), Waisoni Votu(Perpignan), Mosese Ratuvou(LOU Rugby), Pierre Dupouy(Auch), Euan Murray(Glasgow Warriors), Quentin Lesplaucq(Dax), Charly Malie(Montauban)

Transfers out:

Antoine Lescalmel(Montauban), Jean-Baptists Barrere(Beziers), Clement Bourgeois(Montauban), Peni Fakelau(Bourgoin), Mickael Drouard(US Nevers), Lucas Condou(Albi), Thomas Toevalu(Bourgoin), Marlon Solofuti(Angouleme)

Racing 92

Transfers in:

Yannick Nyanga(Toulouse), Dan Carter(Crusaders), Remi Tales(Castres), Chris Masoe(Toulon), Lisiate Fa'aoso(Bayonne), Manuel Carizza(Stormers), Ben Tameifuna(Chiefs), Martin Castrogiovanni(Toulon)

Transfers out:

Jonathan Sexton(Leinster), Walter Desmaison(Grenoble), Camille Gerondeau(Clermont Auvergne), Laurent Magnaval(Biarritz Olympique), Tomas Lavanini(Argentina - Super Rugby), Jamie Roberts(Harlequins), Benjamin Lapeyre(La Rochelle), Jeremie Maurouard(Oyonnax), Fabrice Metz(Oyonnax), Adrien Plante(Clermont Auvergne), Sona Taumaloto(Grenoble), Maxime Javaux(Aix-en-Provence), Dan Lydiate(Ospreys - Mid-Season)

Stade Francais Paris

Transfers in:

Will Genia(Reds), Sekou Macaiou(RC Massy), Avenisi Vasuinubu(US Colomiers), Emmanuel Felsina(LOU Rugby), Paul Alo-Emile(Melbourne Rebels), Willem Alberts(Sharks), Christer Powell(Fiji - Unattached), Patrick Sio(Australia - Unattached)

Transfers out:

Scott Lavalla(Retired), Santiago Garcia Botta(Argentina - Super Rugby), Nicola Garrault(Tarbes), Digby Iaona(Tarbes) ,Romain Frou(US Nevers), Juan Cruz Guillemain(Tarbes), Romain Frou(Tarbes), Jerome Fillol(Retired), Pierre Rabadan(Retired), Krisnan Inu(Catalan Dragons - Rugby League), Richard Kingi(Retired), David Lyons(Retired)

Toulon

Transfers in:

Ma'a Nonu(Hurricanes), Jonathan Pelissie(Montpellier), Thibault Lassalle(Oyonnax), Salesi Ma'afu(Northampton Saints), Samu Manoa(Northampton Saints), Mohamed Boughanmi(Beziers), Julien Caminati(Grenoble), Quade Cooper(Reds)•, James O'Connor(Reds), Charles Ollivon(Bayonne), Anthony Etrillard(Bayonne), Paul O'Connell(Munster), Duane Vermeulen(Stormers), Matt Stevens(Sharks)

Transfers out:

Bakkies Botha(Retired), Carl Hayman(Retired), Ali Williams(Retired), Michael Claassens(Sharks), Nicolas Durand(LOU Rugby), Chris Masoe(Racing 92), Nicolas Sanchez(Argentine - Super Rugby), Stephane Munoz(Montauban), Corentin Braedlin(Agen), Rudi Wolf(Castres), David Smith(Castres), Martin Castrogiovanni(Racing 92)

Toulouse

Transfers in:

David Mele(Leicester Tigers), Gert Muller(Bayonne), Semi Kunatani(Fiji 7's)

Players out:

Yannick Nyanga(Racing 92), Jano Vermaak(Stormers), Dorian Aldegheri(US Carcassonne), Loic Verdy(Aix-en-Provence), Francois Bouvier(Agen)

•To be confirmed.

South Africa's domestic rugby crisis

At first glance South African rugby seems as healthy as ever, the national team lay comfortably in what seems to be a perpetual second place in the world rankings. This is further bolstered by the common view that the William Webb Ellis will end up in the hands of either South Africa, England or New Zealand on the 31st of October later this year.

The strength of the South African national team is unquestionable despite a rocky 2014 season seeing them win just two of their four test on their European tour on the back of a similarly average Rugby Championship. The Springboks finishing the year with nine wins out of a possible thirteen, average by recent Springbok standards. 

The domestic game in South Africa is in a very different state of affairs. Only the Stormers managed to reach the Super Rugby Play-offs, even still this was only by virtue of winning the South African conference. The Crusaders finished one point above them(on 46 points) but four places below them in 7th position. The other four South African franchises largely made up the bottom half of the table, the Lions enjoying a successful 8th placed finish, while the Bulls, Sharks and Cheetahs finished in 9th, 11th and 12th respectively. If the Super Rugby play-offs were decided on merit alone then no South African team would have made it. 

Taking this into account the re-entry of the Southern Kings into Super Rugby next season as one of three new sides and South Africa's sixth side in the competition appears obviously flawed and a huge stretch of resources, both in terms of finance and more potently players. Does South Africa have enough players up to the standard? Heyneke Meyer's two most recent training squads certainly indicate so, in total these squads contained 60 players. All 60 of those included play their rugby with one of the five existing Super Rugby sides with 19 of these players uncapped. 

The absence of a large number of Springboks or potential Springboks playing abroad from these squads was highly noticeable when name-checking the squads. While this is not a massive issue for the South African national team itself, as the SARU has chosen to allow Meyer to select overseas players, it is having a sizeable impact on the competitiveness of South Africa's Super Rugby sides.

Toulon alone had 6 Sprinboks on their books last season, with the retirement of Bakkies Botha and the signing of Vermeulen maintaining this number ahead of next season. The Du Plessis brothers are joining Jake White in Montpellier along with 6 other South Africans including Pierre Spies. Morne Steyn recently won Le Bouclier with Stade Francais and Gio Aplon is currently playing for Bernard Jackman's Grenoble. This list is just a quick sample and could keep going for a while. This clearly shows the impact of South Africa deciding to select overseas players, they opened the door a little bit and seemingly the floodgates have opened.

South Africa also has one of the highest rates of natives taking advantage of the infamous three year residency rule to represent other nations. Richardt Strauss received his first cap for Ireland against his native country in November 2012, Robbie Diack too was capped for the first time last year and CJ Stander looks certain to wear the emerald green as he qualifies for Ireland later this year. Josh Strauss and WP Nel have also been included in Scotland's World Cup squad ahead of their qualification under the ruling later this year. The French national team is also guilty of using the residency rule for their own benefit, seeing Rory Kockott and Scott Spedding both becoming French internationals in 2014. Brad Barritt is another who chose another nation over South Africa but, not via the residency rule, he qualifies for England through his Rhodesian parents.

While these players are not necessarily deemed to be worthy Springboks in some cases, their absence, among many others, is having a sizeable impact on the competitiveness of the the South African franchises in Super Rugby. The player drain shows no signs of stopping, both in terms of capped and uncapped South Africans, infact it is happening much more now than ever.
While the impact is evident in Super Rugby now it won't have a big impact on the strength of the national team for a while yet, but it will.

South Africa took a bold risk by allowing the selection of overseas players and thus far it has benefitted the national team. However, a continuation of this policy while also attempting to expand their amount of Super Rugby franchises is perplexing. Their assumed motivation must be based on the more Super Rugby teams they have the more Super Rugby players they have and as a result the more potential Springboks they have. More teams residing in the bottom half of the Super Rugby table is no benefit to anyone, especially considering the quality of the players South Africa allows to ply their trade abroad. It is a clear case of the SARU prioritising the national team above all else and the longer this rule is in place as it is now the bigger a negative on the Super Rugby franchises and the national team in the longer term.

Champions Cup draw as difficult as expected

This years Champions Cup has set-up five mouth-watering pools featuring the nest sides from the French Top14, the Aviva Premiership and the Guinness Pro12. The full draw is available below.

Pool One sees last years semi-finalists and 2014 finalists Saracens face off against 2012 finalists Ulster as well as four time champions Toulouse as well as Oyonnax, who are making their debut in the Champions Cup. Saracens are the clear early favourites to win this pool, but both Ulster and Toulouse will push them close and won't be far away from qualifying for the knock-out stages themselves.

Pool Two pits Clermont Auvergne against the Ospreys and Exeter Chiefs, two sides who have improved significantly over the last twelve months. Expect a few surprises from this pool, strong recruitment from the Chiefs including Geoff Parling and Salvi will make them much more competitive than their last appearance in the competition two years ago. Clermont still the overwhelming favourites to top this pool, while Bordeaux seem to have little chance of replicating the performances of last years play-off winner Wasps.

Pool Three is possibly the most even pool and makes you wonder was it to Glasgow's benefit that they were the Pro 12's top seed. They face off against Northampton Saints, who finished top of the Aviva Premiership in the regular season and Racing Metro, who welcome Dan Carter, Chris Maseo and Nyanga onto their books in the off season. Scarlets aren't likely to be a push over either, whichever games they can win will likely decide the pool.

Pool Four has a very retro Heineken Cup glory days feel about featuring Top 14 champions Stade Francais, alongside Munster and Leicester, both of which have been champions of Europe Twice. Treviso's presence makes it likely that two sides will more than likely progress from this pool and recent form indicates that this will be real three way struggle.

Pool Five is undoubtedly the toughest pool this year if not in the history of European rugby, Tier One seeds Bath will be gulping hard at the prospect of facing a Toulon side gunning for an unprecedented fourth straight title with new recruits of Paul O'Connell, Samu Manao and Ma'a Nonu, to name but a few. Leinster too will be motivated to show a better account of themselves in Europe following last years semi-final defeat to Toulon. Wasps are going to be the danger team in this group with little to lose and a lot to gain and will be hoping to build on last years surprise quarter-final appearance. This pool could go to anyone, expect Toulon to qualify but, expect it to go down to the wire.

• 

The Salary Cap: The European Capital Cup

Finance is something which has come to play a significant role, if not the most significant role in professional sport in the modern era. Without sufficient financial backing it is impossible to compete on a level where trophies are a possibility or longevity is guaranteed. The proof of this can be seen clearly in the Aviva Premiership and Top 14, as the financially weaker teams battle against relegation and the richest contest for play-off places.

To curb the impact of gaps in financial power the Salary Cap was created, coming into the English Premiership in 1999. As professionalism became a reality in Rugby Union, it was seen as a necessary restriction in order to increase competition and ensure financial stability of all clubs.

Ever since the salary cap has been on the rise and now, in England, the salary cap is £5.5 Million per year, with two ‘marquee’ players wages being exempt from inclusion. Domestically, this has been a system which has worked reasonably well for the last decade or so. The Aviva Premiership using the example of three different teams becoming champions in as many years as proof of this.

This does say a lot for the evenness of competition the cap has created but, the winners always come out of those that push the cap to its limit and those fighting relegation are consistently the teams which cannot afford the full wages they are allowed to pay. As the salary cap continues to rise, this gap will only increase and the point of it, to maintain even competition, will serve to be irrelevant and it will act only as a minor financial restriction to the biggest teams. This is being shown by teams such as Bath and Saracens, who have both been recently accused of going over the imposed Salary cap.
The Salary cap will inevitably rise, calls for it to do so come on a weekly basis, the most vocal club being Saracens, Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup finalists in 2013-14. Their argument is fair on a European scale, there is a £3 Million pound gap in the salary gaps of England and France and as a result, the best teams in France can attract better players than the best teams in England. This is due to the salary gap as many teams cannot compete with their French counterparts financial, demonstrated by Toulon’s recent European domination.

The big issue is whether to prioritise domestic or European competition? Maintain the cap as it is and allow all teams to compete equally within their domestic league or expand it and allow teams with the financial power to compete more internationally? Neither is a perfect solution and both have sizable impacts on the competitiveness of teams in one way or another. The ideal way for Rugby Union to move forward is by introducing a worldwide Salary cap, an idea that is far too impractical as international teams pay significant contributions towards players wages also. A salary cap for each competition is more workable and will allow English and French clubs to compete on the same financial level in Europe.

There is much Rugby Union can learn from the example of professional football, specifically in finance, it is something that needs to be controlled and if this is not acted on soon, money will dictate, even more so, where the best players play and where the most prestigious trophies go.

Originally published by The Trinity Bull 30/01/2015