That’s harsh on O’Connor, he’s been very good for us, probably performing at his ceiling for a number of years. Certainly not worth putting in the same category as Rea.Bart S wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 8:03 pmThe likes of Stu , Hendy and Herring are top class players who as you say, aren't getting international caps because of the high standards across the board in Ireland. Conversely TOT is in the squads but yet to show he is a top class prop. But the likes of Al O'connor and Matty Rea wouldn't get into any other side.UlsterAreBrill wrote: ↑Mon Apr 08, 2024 7:41 pm It’s also not true that we are producing no players. The majority of our pack is now home grown, or at least a respectable pack could be put out with a good home grown contingent.
Warwick, Stewart, O’Toole, Hendo, Sheridan, Rea Jr, McCann, Rea Sr
Granted there are some problems there, primarily at 1 and 8, but you could easily fill those positions, and others, with guys who aren’t Ulster born but we’ve taken a chance on and have/could become very good players, e.g Timoney, Treadwell, Al, Izzy
The gripe seems to be that none are represented at international level which is a bit of a moot point. Being ‘top class’ doesn’t guarantee international selection, especially given the depth the national side currently has in the pack. Likewise, just because they aren’t getting capped, doesn’t mean they aren’t top class.
If the likes of McCann, Stu, O’Toole, Timoney were going to represent another country, you can guarantee they would be capped by now multiple times over.
TLDR; it’s a myth we’re not producing ‘top class’ players.
We have a lot of home grown players because the irfu policy is forcing that. Some are just filling shirts though.
1 newly capped home-grown forward since Hendy in 2012 tells its own tale.
We're either not producing or not managing , which may explain why the backline has got worse when with the age profile it should have been the opposite.
Have hopes for Sheridan and McCann though plus Stewart hopefully.
In bold though is exactly the point, in that it’s ok not to be producing players who aren’t getting internationally capped. Essentially you’re wanting to produce players better than the likes of Sheehan, Porter, Furlong, Beirne, etc, which is very, very difficult. The majority of those players are either past Test Lions or will be Test Lions next year.
Someone else has said that provided they are good enough for us, then that’s all that matters, which in a sense is true and that’s exactly what’s happening and has happened with a lot of our players over the last 4-5 years. It’s just not true that we are not producing good enough players. So, again, our pathway in bringing through players is generally ok.
Again, just because they aren’t capped, doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t good enough. Sheridan, McCann and Stewart are/could well be good enough for international rugby but unfortunately probably won’t ever get capped regularly.